Conjugating homogenized liver‐extracellular matrix into decellularized hepatic scaffold for liver tissue engineering

The generation of a transplantable liver scaffold is crucial for the treatment of end‐stage liver failure. Unfortunately, decellularized liver scaffolds suffer from lack of bioactive molecules and functionality. In this study, we conjugated homogenized liver‐extracellular matrix (ECM) into a decellularized liver in a rat model to improve its structural and functional properties. The homogenized ECM was prepared, characterized, and subsequently perfused into ethyl carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC)/N‐hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) activated liver scaffolds. Various techniques were performed to confirm the improvements that were accomplished through the conjugation process; these included micro/ultra‐structural analyses, biochemical analysis of ECM components, DNA quantification, swelling ratio, structural stability, calcification properties, platelet activation study, static and dynamic seeding with EAhy926 endothelial cells and HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells, subcutaneous implantation and intrahepatic transplantation. The results showed that the conjugated scaffolds have superior micro‐ and ultrastructural and biochemical characteristics. In addition, DNA contents, swelling ratios, calcification properties, platelet reactions, and host inflammatory reactions were not altered with the conjugation process. The conjugated scaffolds revealed better cellular spreading and popularity compared to the non‐conjugated scaffolds. Intrahepatic transplantation showed that the conjugated scaffold had higher popularity of hepatic regenerative cells with better angiogenesis. The conjugation of the decellularized liver scaffold with homogenized liver‐ECM is a promising tool to improve the quality of the generated scaffold for further transplantation.