Mechanical bioreactor for tissue-derived extracellular matrix scaffolds recellularization

LUCIA MAJUL; EDUARDO NIEVA; NANCY A. SALVATIERRA

Congreso; Sociedad Argentina de Bioingeniería; 2020

Tissue engineering applies the principles of engineering and life sciences towards the development of functionalengineered tissue. The complexity involved in in vivo biological systems creates a need for bioreactors, which can closely mimicthe cells microenvironment. Some cells are well known to have the ability to sense and respond to mechanical stimuli, and acertain level of control over cell growth and differentiation may be accomplished through stretch stimulation. This work involvesdesign, development and implementation of a stretching device that induces uniaxial mechanical strain in recellularized nativeextracellular matrix scaffolds. The device structure was obtained by using the 3D printing technology, and cell stretching wasaccomplished via nut-spindle system. Porcine heart matrices, which served as mechanical support for the cells, were obtained byimplementing an immersing decellularization protocol. The protocol?s effectiveness was verified through hematoxylin-eosinstaining, and then a MTT cytotoxicity assay was performed. The latter brought out a satisfying result, showing cell viabilitypercentage above 70%. The cell-stretcher test experiment involved 120 h, and included mechanical stimulation of a seeded nativeextracellular matrix scaffold. Cell adhesion was verified with hematoxylin-eosin staining, while labeling the sample withfluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide showed the presence of metabolically active cells after mechanical stimulation.