Mechanical Compression Improves Decellularization of Intact Intervertebral Disc Xenografts

摘要

Herein, we illustrated that mechanical compression improves the decellularization of IVDs with end plates attached. We saw a ≥50% decrease in intact nuclei presence throughout all regions of the IVD after integrating compression into our decellularization protocol. Although there was a loss in matrix content between the control group and the study groups, integrating mechanical compression did not appear to further decrease matrix composition or alter tissue morphology, suggesting that matrix degradation or tissue morphology alterations were caused by the use of detergents and nucleases instead of mechanical compression. One limitation of the mechanical compression integrated protocol is the requirement to circum-ferentially trim the IVD to 24mm, which would likely impact mechanical properties of the disc. Future work will include adapting the compression system to larger IVDs. Overall, integrating mechanical compression into our decellularization protocol enhanced its ability to decellularize the IVD with end plates while maintaining its microarchi-tecture. With further refinement, this protocol holds promises for achieving complete decellularization of bovine caudal IVDs with end plates attached. Such constructs could serve as a regenerative IVD replacement for patients with severe IVD degeneration.