Suspension electrospinning of decellularized extracellular matrix: A new method to preserve bioactivity

• Published in: Bioactive materials Vol. 41; pp. 640 - 656
• Main Authors: Jones, Sarah, VandenHeuvel, Sabrina, Luengo Martinez, Andres, Birur, Ruchi, Burgeson, Eric, Gilbert, Isabelle, Baker, Aaron, Wolf, Matthew, Raghavan, Shreya A., Rogers, Simon, Cosgriff-Hernandez, Elizabeth
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China Elsevier B.V 01.11.2024; KeAi Publishing Communications Ltd; KeAi Communications Co., Ltd
• Subjects: Additives; Angiogenesis; Biological activity; Biological scaffolds; Cell growth; Cell proliferation; Elastic limit; Elastic properties; Elasticity; Electrospinning; Electrostatic properties; Extracellular matrix; Foreign bodies; Freeze drying; Growth factors; Homogenization; Hydrogels; Macrophages; Morphology; Musculoskeletal system; Parameter identification; Particle interactions; Particle size; Proteins; Retention; Rheological properties; Rheology; Scaffolds; Small intestine; Tissue engineering; Electrospinning; Extracellular matrix; Biological scaffolds
• ISSN: 2452-199X; 2097-1192; 2452-199X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.08.012

Decellularized extracellular matrices (dECM) have strong regenerative potential as tissue engineering scaffolds; however, current clinical options for dECM scaffolds are limited to freeze-drying its native form into sheets. Electrospinning is a versatile scaffold fabrication technique that allows control of macro- and microarchitecture. It remains challenging to electrospin dECM, which has led researchers to either blend it with synthetic materials or use enzymatic digestion to fully solubilize the dECM. Both strategies reduce the innate bioactivity of dECM and limit its regenerative potential. Herein, we developed a new suspension electrospinning method to fabricate a pure dECM fibrous mesh that retains its innate bioactivity. Systematic investigation of suspension parameters was used to identify critical rheological properties required to instill “spinnability,” including homogenization, concentration, and particle size. Homogenization enhanced particle interaction to impart the requisite elastic behavior to withstand electrostatic drawing without breaking. A direct correlation between concentration and viscosity was observed that altered fiber morphology; whereas, particle size had minimal impact on suspension properties and fiber morphology. The versatility of this new method was demonstrated by electrospinning dECM with three common decellularization techniques (Abraham, Badylak, Luo) and tissue sources (intestinal submucosa, heart, skin). Bioactivity retention after electrospinning was confirmed using cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and macrophage polarization assays. Collectively, these findings provide a framework for researchers to electrospin dECM for diverse tissue engineering applications. [Display omitted] •Decellularized extracellular matrix was electrospun without digestion or additives.•Rheological features of suspensions that can predict spinnability were identified.•Suspension electrospinning method retained extracellular matrix bioactivity.•New method validated with multiple decellularization processes and tissue sources.