Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for approximately 25% of total deaths. Myocardial infarction (MI) is an extreme case of cardiovascular disease where ischemia leads to irreversible tissue necrosis. As the heart lacks the capacity to endogenously regenerate, the infarcted region is negatively remodeled, reducing cardiac function. Current therapies are not able to regenerate cardiac function post-MI, requiring novel approaches such as tissue engineering. However, there are three major pitfalls that are currently limiting the clinical translation of a tissue engineered cardiac patch: lack of proper vascularization within the tissues; biocompatible material; and lack of electrical integration between engineered tissue and host. The research within this dissertation aimed to engineer solutions to overcome these three pitfalls. Plants and animals exploit fundamentally different approaches to transporting fluids, yet there are surprising structural similarities. To take advantage of these similarities, we looked across different kingdoms and investigated whether plants and their innate vasculature could serve as perfusable scaffolds for tissue engineering. Standard perfusion decellularization techniques were adapted and applied to spinach leaves, which were found to be fully devoid of DNA following processing. Leaf vasculature remained patent post-decellularization and supported transport of various sized microparticles. Human cells successfully seeded onto and inside the plant scaffolds. Decellularized leaves were found to be nearly void of any cytotoxic affects. Leaf biocompatibility was then investigated in vivo through subcutaneous implantation in a rat model. Leaf scaffolds were found to be biocompatible after 4 weeks of implantation. Furthermore, leaves that were pre-functionalized with an RGD-dopamine peptide were fully integrated into the host tissue within one week. This shows the leaf scaffold’s potential to be an immuno-modulatory material, depending upon the intended application. Electrically conducting biofibers were engineered through the combination of fibrin microthreads and engineered conductive HEK293 cells. Biofibers could act as a modular platform to allow for electrical integration between the host tissue and any engineered cardiac patch. Biofibers directionally carried electrical current and were found capable of bridging electrical signal between two separate clusters of cardiomyocytes. In vivo investigation bridging a biofiber from the left atria to the left ventricle was accomplished in a rat model. Electrical maps demonstrated a visible accessory pathway that created a feedback electrical signal from the ventricle to the atria through the implanted biofiber. These results demonstrate electrical integration in vivo between host myocardium and the engineered biofiber.

It would be a great advantage in reconstructive surgery to have an off-the-shelf biomaterial to promote regeneration and volume augmentation following soft tissue damage. With this long-term objective, human adipose tissue (fat) is an abundant and accessible source of extracellular matrix (ECM) for bioscaffold fabrication. The main goal of the current research project was to optimize the established 5-day detergent-free decellularization protocol developed by the Flynn group, by shortening it to a maximum of 3 days, while achieving comparable results in terms of cell and lipid extraction with preservation of the ECM. The effectiveness of the optimized protocol was assessed by examination of the decellularized adipose tissue (DAT) and its characteristic biological properties, including in vitro bioactivity assays with human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) to measure adipogenic potential, as well as in vivo testing of scaffold biocompatibility. In the optimized approach, the addition of mechanical processing steps including repeated pressing and centrifugation were shown to enhance cell extraction. Fibrous ultrastructure was observed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the original and optimized protocols. The preservation of collagen fibres was assessed with picro-sirius red staining and confirmed by high hydroxyproline content. Enhanced preservation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) was determined for the optimized protocol. Residual DNA content was higher in the DAT scaffolds processed with the optimized protocol, including larger DNA fragments that were not typically observed in the samples treated with the original protocol, which incorporated additional enzymatic treatment stages with DNase, RNase and lipase. However, no residual nuclei were visualized through DAPI staining for both protocols. Enhanced removal of DNA was achieved with electron beam (e-beam) sterilization. E-beam sterilization caused some changes in the fine fibrous structure of the ECM, but did not negatively affect the adipo-conductive potential in vitro. In comparison to the original protocol, DAT produced via the optimized protocol exhibited similar adipo-conductive properties in vitro. The in vivo biocompatibility study over a 16 week period using an immunocompetent Wistar rat model showed promising results. DAT implants produced with the original and optimized protocols promoted adipogenesis and angiogenesis, gradually being remodelled to resemble mature adipose tissue. / Thesis (Master, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2014-01-30 12:25:22.044

A bioengenharia de tecidos baseia-se no uso de moléculas bioativas, células-tronco e biomateriais para reparação de tecidos e/ou órgãos. Biomateriais podem ser classificados de acordo com sua origem em sintéticos ou biológicos. Biomateriais biológicos podem ser produzidos por decelularização, que visa a remoção de células da matriz extracelular (MEC), a qual deve manter sua integridade química e física. Placentas são órgãos de grande interesse na bioengenharia de tecidos visto que são descartadas após o parto e possuem grande volume de matriz extracelular. Métodos de decelularização podem ser classificados em químicos, físicos e enzimáticos. Todos conhecidamente causam alterações na MEC, sendo que a associação deles é comumente utilizada. Este trabalho comparou diferentes protocolos e estabeleceu um método mais favorável para a decelularização de placentas caninas, visando a produção de um biomaterial para futuras aplicações clínicas. Inicialmente ambas as porções - materna e fetal - das placentas foram submetidas à 10 protocolos, que avaliaram variáveis como concentração e tempo de incubação em detergentes, diferentes gradientes de temperatura e a influência da perfusão versus imersão das soluções, na MEC remanescente. Com base na transparência do tecido e na ausência de núcleo celular em cortes histológicos, dois protocolos foram selecionados (I e II). Além dos critérios já mencionados, ambos os protocolos foram comparados quanto à quantidade de DNA remanescente na MEC decelularizada e à permanência e distribuição de algumas das proteínas da matriz. O detergente SDS foi o mais eficaz na remoção de células, embora não tenha sido suficiente para promover uma decelularização tecidual completa. O congelamento prévio das placentas requereu um maior tempo de incubação posterior das amostras nos distintos detergentes. Ambos métodos de perfusão e imersão foram eficazes na remoção das células, embora grande concentração de proteínas do citoesqueleto tenham permanecido retidas na matriz. As amostras processadas pelo protocolo I (SDS 1%, 5mM EDTA + 50mM TRIS + 0,5% antibiótico, e Triton X-100 1%) apresentaram maior preservação da organização estrutural da MEC quando comparadas àquelas processadas de acordo com o protocolo II (que diferiu do anterior pela utilização de solução contendo 0,05% tripsina ao invés de 50mM TRIS), esse último método entretanto foi o que melhor removeu as células das placentas, conforme observado em lâminas histológicas e demonstrado pela menor concentração de DNA. Tanto as porções materna quanto fetal submetidas à ambos protocolos, mantiveram as proteínas laminina, fibronectina e colágeno tipo I. O colágeno tipo III foi observado somente na porção fetal. Conclui-se que o protocolo II foi o mais eficaz no processo de decelularização de placentas caninas tendo promovido a remoção do conteúdo celular e diminuição da concentração de DNA na MEC remanescente. No entanto é necessário otimizar o tempo de incubação das placentas em soluções enzimáticas visando maior conservação do arranjo da matriz decelularizada. A análise da capacidade da MEC decelularizada por tal método para ser utilizada em bioengenharia de tecidos ainda deve ser avaliada in vitro e in vivo / Tissue engineering is based on the use of bioactive molecules, stem cells and biomaterials to repair tissues and/organs. Biomaterials can be classified according to their origin in synthetic or biological. Biological biomaterials can be produced by decellularization wich aims at removing cells from the extracellular matrix (ECM), while maintain its chemical and physical integrity. Placentas are organs of great interest in tissue engineering due to the fact that they are discarded after birth and present large amount of ECM. Decellularization methods can be classified into chemical, physical and enzymatic. All of them are known to cause changes on ECM; thus their association has been commonly used. This study compared different protocols and established a more favorable method for decellularization of canine placentas, aiming at the production of a biomaterial for clinical applications. Initially both placental portions maternal and fetal were subjected to ten different protocols that evaluated variables such as concentration and time of incubation in detergents, different temperatures and the influence of perfusion versus immersion of solutions in the remaining ECM were analysed. The analysis of tissue transparence and absence of cellular nuclei in histological slices stained with HE, led to selection of two protocols (I and II). Besides the before mentioned criteria, both protocols were compared according to the amount of DNA that remained in the ECM decelullarized and the distribution of some ECM proteins. SDS was the most effective detergent for cell removal although it was not enough to complete decellularization. The freezing of placentas led to larger periods of samples incubation in different detergents. Both perfusion and immersion methods were capable of removing cells, although large concentration of cytoskeletal proteins remained entrapped in the matrix. Samples subjected to protocol I (1% SDS, 5 mM EDTA + 50 mM TRIS + 0,5% antibiotic, and 1% Triton X-100) better preserved the structural organization of ECM when compared to those subjected to protocol II (wich differed from the first by the use of 0,05% trypsin instead of 50mM TRIS). However, protocol II optimized cell removal as observed in histological slices and decreased the DNA concentration. Both maternal and fetal portions, subjected to both protocols, retained the laminin, fibronectin and collagen type I proteins. Collagen type III was identified only in fetal portion. In conclusion, protocol II was more effective in the decellularization of canine placentas than protocol I; it removed cellular content and decrease the concentration of remaining DNA in remaining ECM. The ability of ECM decellularized by such method to be applied in tissue engineering strategies still need to be evaluated in vitro and in vivo

Os procedimentos de reconstrução de parede abdominal são importantes na rotina cirúrgica de pequenos animais e, apesar da sua baixa casuística, normalmente são realizados por consequência de traumas ou neoplasias. O material ideal a ser utilizado permanece sem unanimidade e sua busca é constante. Diversos materiais de origem sintética e biológica são pesquisados, apresentando prós e contras. Entretanto, a maior utilização aparenta ser a malha de polipropileno. Em contrapartida, a membrana amniótica é estudada atualmente, demostrando melhor aceitação dos pacientes, assim como menor reatividade. Junto às boas informações sobre a membrana amniótica, se tem estudado processos de decelularização de tecidos como técnicas de bioengenharia tecidual, o qual criam-se materiais imunologicamente compatíveis, aumentando sua biocompatibilidade, com melhor resposta cicatricial e menor inflamação do hospedeiro no período pós-operatório. O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar macro e microscopicamente a membrana amniótica equina mantida em meio de preservação tradicional (glicerina 98%) e tratada com solução utilizada para decelularização, em baixa concentração (detergente Dodecil Sulfato de Sódio Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate SDS 0,01%), a fim de mensurar possíveis diferenças de resultados apresentados pelos hospedeiros. Foram formados dois grupos (grupo I e grupo II) contendo 15 animais em cada. Os animais do grupo I receberam a membrana amniótica tratada com SDS 0,01%, assim como os animais do grupo II receberam a membrana preservada em glicerina 98%. Cada grupo foi dividido em três subgrupos, contendo cinco animais em cada. O primeiro subgrupo foi avaliado aos sete dias de pós-cirúrgico (M1), o segundo aos 20 dias (M2), e o terceiro aos 40 dias (M3). Após anestesia geral, segmento de aproximadamente 2,0cm x 1,5cm foi retirado da parede abdominal de cada rato, para criação de defeito abdominal, e substituído pelo material a ser avaliado, suturado com fio náilon 5-0 em padrão simples interrompido, seguido de sutura cutânea em U horizontal com fio náilon 4-0. Informações macro e microscópicas foram coletadas e analisadas estatisticamente. As avaliações macroscópicas não apresentaram diferenças estatísticas entre os grupos, mostrando bons resultados quanto a prevenção das aderências viscerais ao implante. A avaliação microscópica mostrou diferença importante de contagem celular no terceiro momento de avaliação (M3) entre os grupos, sendo que o grupo I apresentou menor intensidade de células inflamatórias em comparação ao grupo II (p=0,002973). A eficiência do detergente SDS 0,01% não foi boa, devido manutenção de conteúdo nuclear ao avaliar o material em lâminas histológicas. Pode-se concluir com o presente estudo que, a membrana amniótica equina pode ser utilizada para reconstrução de parede abdominal em ratos Wistar, pois, mostrou bom resultado, não causando aderências viscerais e, consequentemente, sem comprometimento de quaisquer funções. O grupo I mostrou importante queda na contagem celular em comparação ao grupo II, levantando a hipótese de possível efeito do tratamento com SDS 0,01%. Porém, a total eficiência para decelularização avaliada ao final, não foi boa, sugerindo melhores abordagens aos protocolos de decelularização, aumentando a concentração da substância, o tempo de tratamento, assim como a associação com outras técnicas para melhor efetividade na total remoção do conteúdo celular da membrana amniótica equina. / Abdominal wall reconstruction procedures are important in the surgical routine of small animals and, despite their low casuistry, are usually performed as a consequence of traumas or neoplasias. There is no unanimity as to the ideal material to be used in these procedures and, therefore, their demand is constant. Several materials, both of synthetic and biological origin, were and are researched nowadays, presenting advantages and disadvantages in its use. The preference, however, appears to be the polypropylene mesh. On the other hand, the amniotic membrane, currently studied, has demonstrated better patient acceptance as well as lower reactivity. In addition to the good information about the amniotic membrane, tissular decellularization processes have been studied as tissue bioengineering techniques, in which immunologically compatible materials are created, increasing their biocompatibility, with better cicatricial response and less inflammation of the host in the postoperative period. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the equine amniotic membrane maintained in a traditional preservation medium (glycerin 98%) and treated with a low concentration decellularization solution (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate detergent - SDS 0,01%), in order to measure possible differences of results presented by the hosts. Two groups were formed (group I and group II) containing 15 animals each. The animals in group I received the amniotic membrane treated with SDS 0,01% while the animals in group II received the membrane preserved in glycerin 98%. Each group was divided into three subgroups, each containing five animals. The first subgroup (from each group) was evaluated at seven days postoperative (M1), second at 20 days (M2), and third at 40 days (M3). After a general anesthesia, a segment of approximately 2,0cm x 1,5cm was removed from the abdominal wall of each animal, to create abdominal defect, and replaced by the material to be evaluated, sutured with 5-0 nylon thread in a simple interrupted pattern, followed by horizontal U shaped skin suture with 4-0 nylon thread. Macro and microscopic information were collected and analyzed statistically. The macroscopic evaluations did not present statistical differences between the groups, showing good results regarding the prevention of the visceral adhesions to the implant. Microscopic evaluation showed a significant difference in cell counts in the third evaluation period (M3) between groups, and group I presented lower inflammatory cell intensity compared to group II (p=0,002973). The efficiency of the SDS detergent 0,01% was not good, due to the maintenance of nuclear content, verified when evaluating the material in histological slides. It is concluded with the present study that equine amniotic membrane can be used for abdominal wall reconstruction in Wistar rats, demonstrating good results in not causing visceral adhesions and without compromising any functions. Group I showed an important decrease in the cell count in comparison to group II, raising the hypothesis of possible treatment effect with SDS 0,01%. However, the efficiency for the total decellularization evaluated at the end was not good, suggesting that there are better approaches within the decellularization protocols, such as increasing the concentration of the substance, the time of treatment, and the association with other techniques for better effectiveness in the total removal of the cellular contents of the equine amniotic membrane.

Objectifs : L’objectif principal de ce travail était de fabriquer une matrice œsophagienne décellularisée tubulaire implantable dans un modèle porcin. Méthodes : Des œsophages de porcs étaient prélevés et décellularisés selon un protocole basé sur l’Acide Déoxycholique. La décellularisation devait être confirmée par analyse histologique et quantification de l’ADN résiduel. L’évaluation des Glycosaminoglycanes, des protéines de structures (Collagène, Elastine, Fibronectine et Laminine) était réalisée par étude histologique et immunohistochimique sur les MD. Les tests mécaniques étaient réalisés en traction circonférentielle, longitudinale, et à l’éclatement. La biocompatibilité des MD a été évaluée in vivo sur un modèle murin. L’ensemencement était réalisé par des Adipose Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs) appliquées sous forme de feuillets sur les MD tubulaires. L’efficience de la maturation des MD in vivo était réalisée sur un modèle murin. L’implantation des MD était faite après une œsophagectomie par laparotomie dans un modèle porcin. Résultats : 103 œsophages ont été décellularisés. Les MD ne présentaient pas de noyau résiduel et leur quantification d’ADN résiduel était inférieure à 50 ng/mg de tissu sec. Les caractéristiques biologiques (quantité, qualité et distribution) étaient préservées après la décellularisation. Le comportement mécanique des MD était similaire aux œsophages natifs. L’ensemencement par des ADSCs via l’application de feuillets sur les MD permettait une cellularisation des couches externes. La maturation dans le grand épiploon permettait la vascularisation des MD sans bénéfice d’un ensemencement préalable. L’œsophagectomie était réalisée sur 6 porcs. Un individu est décédé, et 4 porcs ont présenté des complications postopératoires. La régénération tissulaire des MD était confirmée un mois après leur implantation. Conclusion : La substitution œsophagienne par une MD après une œsophagectomie est réalisable sur un modèle porcin / Decellularized matrixes (DM) are commonly used to facilitate a constructive remodeling response in several types of tissue, including the esophagus. Surgical procedure of the esophagus is often complicated by stricture, but preclinical studies have shown that the use of a DM can mitigate stricture and promote a constructive outcome. Recognizing the potential benefits of DM derived from homologous tissue (i.e., site-specific ECM), the objective of the present study was to prepare, characterize, and assess the in-vivo remodeling properties of DM from porcine esophagus. The developed protocol for esophageal DM preparation is compliant with previously established criteria of decellularization and results in a scaffold that maintains important biologic components and an ultrastructure consistent with a good mechanical behavior. Stem cells remained viable when seeded upon the esophageal DM in vitro, and the in-vivo host response showed a pattern of constructive remodeling when implanted in soft tissue.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第21297号 / 医博第4386号 / 新制||医||1030(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 川口 義弥, 教授 妹尾 浩, 教授 羽賀 博典 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第24526号 / 医博第4968号 / 新制||医||1065(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 齋藤 潤, 教授 柳田 素子, 教授 江藤 浩之 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第24198号 / 医博第4892号 / 新制||医||1060(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 川口 義弥, 教授 松田 秀一, 教授 小濱 和貴 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

<p>Articular cartilage is a connective tissue that lines the surfaces of diarthrodial joints; and functions to support and distribute loads as wells as facilitate smooth joint articulation. Unfortunately, cartilage possesses a limited capacity to self-repair. Once damaged, cartilage continues to degenerate until widespread cartilage loss results in the debilitating and painful disease of osteoarthritis. Current treatment options are limited to palliative interventions that seek to mitigate pain, and fail to recapitulate the native function. Cartilage tissue engineering offers a novel treatment option for the repair of focal defects as well as the complete resurfacing of osteoarthritic joints. Tissue engineering combines cells, growth factors, and biomaterials in order to synthesize new cartilage tissue that recapitulates the native structure, mechanical properties, and function of the native tissue. In this endeavor, there has been a growing interest in the use of scaffolds derived from the native extracellular matrix of cartilage. These cartilage-derived matrix (CDM) scaffolds have been show to recapitulate the native epitopes for cell-matrix interactions as well as provide entrapped growth factors; and have been shown to stimulate chondrogenic differentiation of a variety of cell types. Despite the potent chondroinductive properties of CDM scaffolds, they possess very weak mechanical properties that are several orders of magnitude lower than the native tissue. These poor mechanical properties lead to CDM scaffolds succumbing to cell-mediated contraction, which dramatically and unpredictably alters the size and shape of CDM constructs. Cell-mediated contraction not only prevents the fabrication of CDM constructs with specific, pre-determined dimensions, but also limits cellular proliferation and metabolic synthesis of cartilage proteins. This dissertation utilized collagen crosslinking techniques as well as ice-templating in order to enhance the mechanical properties of CDM scaffolds and prevent cell-mediated contraction. Furthermore, the decellularization of CDM was investigated in order to remove possible sources of immunogenicity. This work found that both physical and chemical crosslinking techniques were capable of preventing cell-mediated contraction in CDM scaffolds; however, the crosslinking techniques produced distinct effects on the chondroinductive capacity of CDM. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of CDM scaffolds were able to be enhanced by increasing the CDM concentration; however, this led to a concomitant decrease in pore size, which limited cellular infiltration. The pore size was able to be rescued through the use of an ice-templating technique that led to the formation of large aligned grooves, which enabled cellular infiltration. Additionally, a decellularization protocol was developed that successfully removed foreign DNA to the same order of magnitude as clinically approved materials, while preserving the native GAG content of the CDM, which has been shown to be critical in preserving the mechanical properties of the CDM. Altogether, this body of work demonstrated that dehydrothermal crosslinking was best suited for maintaining the chondroinductive capacity of the CDM, and given the appropriate scaffold fabrication parameters, such as CDM concentration and ice-templating technique, dehydrothermal treatment was able to confer mechanical properties that prevented cell-mediated contraction. To emphasize this finding, this work culminated in the fabrication of an anatomically-relevant hemispherical scaffold entirely from CDM alone. The CDM hemispheres not only supported chondrogenic differentiation, but also retained the original scaffold dimensions and shape throughout chondrogenic culture. These findings illustrate that CDM is a promising material for the fabrication of tailor-made scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering.</p> / Dissertation

Trotz intensiver Forschung im Rahmen der Bänder- und Sehnenerkrankungen gelten bestimmte Fragestellungen hinsichtlich Erkrankungs- sowie Heilungsmechanismen als unbeantwortet. Verschiedenste Konzepte des Tissue Engineerings sollen helfen entsprechende Fragen zu beantworten und moderne Therapiekonzepte zu etablieren. Für grundlegende Untersuchungen zur Biologie der Tenogenese sowie zum Wirkmechanismus applizierter mesenchymaler Stromazellen (MSC), gewinnt die Anwendung von dezellularisiertem Sehnengewebe immer mehr an Bedeutung. Zudem erscheint der Einsatz dezellularisierter Sehnen- und Bandkonstrukte zur Wiederherstellung der betreffenden erkrankten Organe sehr vielversprechend. In der vorliegenden Arbeit sollte der Grundstein zur Entwicklung eines in vitro-Modells auf Grundlage equiner Beugesehnen gelegt werden. Primäres Ziel war es, ein optimales Dezellularisierungsprotokoll für intakte equine Beugesehnen (oberflächliche und tiefe Beugesehne) zu etablieren. Um die Zytokompatibilität der dezellularisierten Sehnen zu überprüfen, erfolgte nach Präparation von Sehnenstreifen die Besiedlung mit equinen MSC mit Kontrolle des Besiedlungserfolges. Materialien und Methoden: Oberflächliche und tiefe Beugesehnen (OBS und TBS) des Pferdes (n = 6) wurden nach vier verschiedenen Protokollen dezellularisiert. In zwei Protokollen (Protokolle A und B) erfolgte zunächst die Anwendung von Gefrier-Auftau- Zyklen mit anschließender Lagerung in hypertoner Lösung. Protokoll A sah danach eine Inkubation in 1 % Triton X 100 und Protokoll B eine Inkubation in 1 % Sodium-Dodecyl-Sulfat (SDS) enthaltender Lösung vor. Die beiden anderen Protokolle (Protokolle C und D) sahen ein Verbringen in hypertone Lösung ohne vorherige Gefrierzyklen vor. Anschließend erfolgte bei Protokoll C die Inkubation in Triton X 100 und bei Protokoll D die Inkubation in SDS enthaltender Lösung. Die Effektivität der angewandten Dezellularisierungsprotokolle wurde durch histologischer Färbung, Zellzählung nach Kollagenaseverdau, DNA-Quantifizierung und transmissionselektronenmikroskopischer Untersuchung ermittelt. Nach Evaluierung der Effektivität der Protokolle wurden oberflächliche Beugesehnen nach den Protokollen A und B dezellularisiert (n=3). Nach Präparation von Sehnenstreifen in definierter Größe erfolgte die Besiedelung mit Eisenoxid-markierten equinen MSC. Der Besiedlungserfolg wurde mit verschiedenen histologischen und Fluoreszenzfärbungen (Fluoreszenzmikroskopie) und MRT-Untersuchung kontrolliert. Die Prüfung auf statistische Unterschiede zwischen den Protokollen erfolgte mit dem Friedman-Test und im Falle eines statistisch signifikanten Unterschieds mit dem Wilcoxon-Rang-Test. Das Signifikanzniveau wurde mit p < 0,05 festgelegt. Die Auswertung des Besiedlungserfolges erfolgte deskriptiv. Ergebnisse: Für alle angewandten Protokolle konnte ein signifikanter Dezellularisie-rungseffekt in beiden Sehnenstrukturen (OBS und TBS) gezeigt werden. Die Anzahl der vitalen Zellen nach Kollagenaseverdau sowie die histologisch ermittelte Zellzahl der dezellularisierten Sehnen belief sich in Abhängigkeit des jeweiligen Dezellularisie-rungsprotokolls und der Sehne (OBS und TBS) auf 1 bis 21 % (Median) des nativen Gewebes. Der ermittelte DNA-Gehalt nach Anwendung der mit Gefrier-Auftau-Zyklen kombinierten Protokollen A und B entsprach < 24 % (Median) des nativen Gewebes. Die Anwendung der Protokolle C und D führte zu einem DNA-Gehalt von < 47 % (Median). Die Auswertung der transmissionselektronenmikroskopischen Untersuchung zeigte ebenfalls eine effektive Dezellularisierung des Sehnengewebes bei Erhalt der Struktur der extra-zellulären Matrix. Nach Anwendung der Protokolle A und B konnte wiederum tendenziell eine bessere Effektivität der Dezellularisierung festgestellt werden. Eine gelungene Besiedlung der Sehnenstreifen mit equinen MSC konnte anhand der mikroskopischen Untersuchung und MRT-Untersuchung gezeigt werden. Das beobachtete Zellwachstum bei beibehaltender Vitalität der Zellen sprechen für eine gute Zytokompatibilität. Die nach Protokoll A dezellularisierten und besiedelten Sehnenstreifen ließen ein besseres Zellwachstum über eine Kulturdauer von 14 Tagen erkennen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit konnte eine effektive Dezellularisierung von intakten equinen Beugesehnen gezeigt werden. Anhand der Ergebnisse der Besiedlung erwies sich die Dezellularisierung nach Protokoll A (Gefrier-Auftau-Zyklen und Triton X 100) als vielversprechende Grundlage zur Entwicklung eins in vitro Modells auf Grundlage dezellularisierter equiner Beugesehnen.