The Development and Characterisation of A Porcine Large Intestinal Biological Scaffold by Perfusion Decellularisation

The rising incidence of colorectal cancer and ulcerative colitis underscores an urgent need for regenerative solutions to address functional deficits after colectomy. However, the creation of clinically applicable large intestine scaffolds remains underdeveloped. Here, we report the successful gener...

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Main Authors: Murali Somasundaram, Karin V. Greco, Gauraang Bhatnagar, Simon Gabe, Paul Sibbons, Peter Friend, Tahera Ansari
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Cells
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/11/817
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author Murali Somasundaram
Karin V. Greco
Gauraang Bhatnagar
Simon Gabe
Paul Sibbons
Peter Friend
Tahera Ansari
author_facet Murali Somasundaram
Karin V. Greco
Gauraang Bhatnagar
Simon Gabe
Paul Sibbons
Peter Friend
Tahera Ansari
author_sort Murali Somasundaram
collection DOAJ
description The rising incidence of colorectal cancer and ulcerative colitis underscores an urgent need for regenerative solutions to address functional deficits after colectomy. However, the creation of clinically applicable large intestine scaffolds remains underdeveloped. Here, we report the successful generation and thorough characterisation of transplantable-sized porcine large intestinal scaffolds via perfusion decellularisation. This method effectively preserved extracellular matrix (ECM) structural and biochemical integrity while minimising immunogenicity through cellular component removal. Crucially, native vasculature remained intact, confirmed by histology, DNA quantification, and high-resolution CT angiography. Despite efficient decellularisation, challenges including residual nucleic acids, ECM heterogeneity, and partial microvascular occlusion were noted, echoing ongoing limitations in engineered, perfusable, full-thickness scaffolds. In vivo implantation demonstrated favourable biocompatibility and host integration; however, thrombosis occurred due to the lack of pre-seeded cells, emphasising the necessity of recellularisation for functional perfusion prior to implantation. This study addresses significant field limitations, presenting the first reproducible approach for structurally intact, perfusable, full-thickness large intestinal scaffolds of transplantable dimensions. Our innovations offer a strong foundation for future integration of patient-derived cells, stem cells, and organoids, progressing toward clinically viable, scalable, tissue-engineered large intestine constructs, from xenogeneic sources, relevant for regenerative medicine, disease modelling, and pharmacological screening.
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spelling doaj-art-c35010a26679488392f3f2f07040b3722025-08-20T02:32:52ZengMDPI AGCells2073-44092025-05-01141181710.3390/cells14110817The Development and Characterisation of A Porcine Large Intestinal Biological Scaffold by Perfusion DecellularisationMurali Somasundaram0Karin V. Greco1Gauraang Bhatnagar2Simon Gabe3Paul Sibbons4Peter Friend5Tahera Ansari6Research and Development Department, Northwick Park Institute for Medical Research—The Griffin Institute, London HA1 3UJ, UKResearch and Development Department, Northwick Park Institute for Medical Research—The Griffin Institute, London HA1 3UJ, UKDepartment of Radiology, St Mark’s Hospital and Academic Institute, London NW10 7NS, UKLennard-Jones Intestinal Failure Unit, St Mark’s Hospital and Academic Institute, London NW10 7NS, UKResearch and Development Department, Northwick Park Institute for Medical Research—The Griffin Institute, London HA1 3UJ, UKNuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, Oxford Transplant Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 4BH, UKResearch and Development Department, Northwick Park Institute for Medical Research—The Griffin Institute, London HA1 3UJ, UKThe rising incidence of colorectal cancer and ulcerative colitis underscores an urgent need for regenerative solutions to address functional deficits after colectomy. However, the creation of clinically applicable large intestine scaffolds remains underdeveloped. Here, we report the successful generation and thorough characterisation of transplantable-sized porcine large intestinal scaffolds via perfusion decellularisation. This method effectively preserved extracellular matrix (ECM) structural and biochemical integrity while minimising immunogenicity through cellular component removal. Crucially, native vasculature remained intact, confirmed by histology, DNA quantification, and high-resolution CT angiography. Despite efficient decellularisation, challenges including residual nucleic acids, ECM heterogeneity, and partial microvascular occlusion were noted, echoing ongoing limitations in engineered, perfusable, full-thickness scaffolds. In vivo implantation demonstrated favourable biocompatibility and host integration; however, thrombosis occurred due to the lack of pre-seeded cells, emphasising the necessity of recellularisation for functional perfusion prior to implantation. This study addresses significant field limitations, presenting the first reproducible approach for structurally intact, perfusable, full-thickness large intestinal scaffolds of transplantable dimensions. Our innovations offer a strong foundation for future integration of patient-derived cells, stem cells, and organoids, progressing toward clinically viable, scalable, tissue-engineered large intestine constructs, from xenogeneic sources, relevant for regenerative medicine, disease modelling, and pharmacological screening.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/11/817tissue-engineered large intestine (TELI)porcine modelin vivofull-thickness large intestinal scaffoldsperfusable native vasculaturexenogeneic source
spellingShingle Murali Somasundaram
Karin V. Greco
Gauraang Bhatnagar
Simon Gabe
Paul Sibbons
Peter Friend
Tahera Ansari
The Development and Characterisation of A Porcine Large Intestinal Biological Scaffold by Perfusion Decellularisation
Cells
tissue-engineered large intestine (TELI)
porcine model
in vivo
full-thickness large intestinal scaffolds
perfusable native vasculature
xenogeneic source
title The Development and Characterisation of A Porcine Large Intestinal Biological Scaffold by Perfusion Decellularisation
title_full The Development and Characterisation of A Porcine Large Intestinal Biological Scaffold by Perfusion Decellularisation
title_fullStr The Development and Characterisation of A Porcine Large Intestinal Biological Scaffold by Perfusion Decellularisation
title_full_unstemmed The Development and Characterisation of A Porcine Large Intestinal Biological Scaffold by Perfusion Decellularisation
title_short The Development and Characterisation of A Porcine Large Intestinal Biological Scaffold by Perfusion Decellularisation
title_sort development and characterisation of a porcine large intestinal biological scaffold by perfusion decellularisation
topic tissue-engineered large intestine (TELI)
porcine model
in vivo
full-thickness large intestinal scaffolds
perfusable native vasculature
xenogeneic source
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/11/817
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