The Influence of the Flow of Detergent and Donor Characteristics on the Extracellular Matrix Composition After Human Pancreas Decellularization

The extracellular matrix (ECM) consists, among others, of polysaccharides, glycosaminoglycans, and proteins. It is being increasingly used in tissue bioengineering. Obtaining ECM of the highest quality through decellularization is a big challenge because of some differences in organ structure. To deprive organs of the cellular part, chemical, enzymatic, or mechanical methods are used. After decellularization, we get a scaffold made of a variety of proteins, and it is the role of these proteins that can significantly affect the maintenance of the spatial structure and be a suitable environment for cells to rebuild a specific organ. Estimation of the detergent (Triton X-100) flow parameters and anthropometric donors’ decellularization process accuracy on the final ECM composition. Five human pancreata, rejected from transplantation, were used for decellularization. All organs were harvested from brain-dead donors age 13 to 60 years. Decellularization was carried out using the flow method with Triton X-100 as an active agent. The experiment compared 5 different flow values. After decellularization, an assessment of the final DNA concentration and the protein composition was performed. Results were compared to anthropometric data of donors. In addition, a microscopic analysis was also carried out. The best results were obtained using a flow of 120 mL/minute. A higher detergent flow was associated with a lower concentration of residual DNA in scaffold. Analysis of the protein profile with anthropometric data has shown that LAM A2 was increasing with age and LAMA5 was decreasing. Being overweight was associated with a higher proportion of COL1 and 4 and a smaller proportion of COL6. •The effect of age on the protein composition of the ECM of human pancreas is discussed.•An increase in detergent minute flow improves decellularization efficiency.•Damage to the ECM structure is associated with an increase in detergent minute flow.