Decellularized human fetal intestine as a bioscaffold for regeneration of the rabbit bladder submucosa.

Overview

PURPOSE: We aim to report a method to create a natural acellular scaffold from human fetal small intestine for augmentation cystoplasty in rabbits. METHODS: Fetal intestines were decellularized by immersion in a hypotonic solution. The success of this protocol was evaluated by histological analysis, scanning electron microscopy and measurement of collagen and sulfated glycosaminoglycan of the acellular tissues. Eight mature rabbits were selected and acellular scaffolds were implanted on the exposed urothelium. Urodynamic studies and cystography were performed after six months. At 14, 120 and 180days animals were sacrificed and augmented bladders were resected. RESULTS: Histological analysis revealed formation of muscular layer and blood vessels in implanted scaffolds similar to normal bladder. These findings demonstrate the effective seeding of scaffold by host bladder cells. The tissue architecture of recellularized scaffold was similar to the native bladder. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal intestine acellular matrix could be an exceptional scaffold for bladder augmentation cystoplasty and may pave the road for future studies in order to be used for clinical application.