Biologic Properties Of Surgical Mesh Materials Derived From Different Decellularized ECM

Objective:Surgical mesh scaffolds manufactured from donor human or animal tissue are increasingly being used to promote soft tissue repair and regeneration. The clinical product consists of the residual extracellular matrix remaining after a rigorous decellularization process. Optimally, the material provides both structural support during the repair period and cell guidance cues for effective incorporation into the regenerating tissue. Surgical mesh materials are available from several companies and are unique products manufactured by proprietary methodology. A significant need exists for a more thorough understanding of scaffold properties that impact the early steps of host cell recruitment and infiltration.Method:In this study, a panel of in vitro assays was used to make direct comparisons of several similar, commercially-available materials:Alloderm, Medeor Matrix, Permacol, and Strattice. Differences in the materials were detected for both cell signaling and scaffold architecture-dependent cell invasion. Results:Material-conditioned media studies found Medeor Matrix to have the greatest positive effect upon cell proliferation and induction of migration. Strattice provided the greatest chemotaxis signaling and best suppressed apoptotic induction. Among assays measuring structure-dependent properties, Medeor Matrix was superior for cell attachment, followed by Permacol. Only Alloderm and Medeor Matrix supported chemotaxis-driven cell invasion beyond the most superficial zone. Medeor Matrix was the only material in the chorioallantoic membrane assay to support substantial cell invasion.Conclusions:These results indicate that both biologic and structural properties need to be carefully assessed in the considerable ongoing efforts to develop new uses and products in this important class of biomaterials. Objective:Advanced biomaterials prepared from decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) have been increasingly used in regenerative medicine. Numerous clinical studies reported improved outcomes with newly designed ECM scaffold applications, but the comparative biological characteristics, especially regarding interaction between biomaterials and host tissue during wound healing, has received relatively less attention.Method:In this study we investigated decellularized ECM scaffolds derived from dermal (Alloderm and Gelfoam), small intestinal submucosa (SurgiSIS and Oasis), and mesothelium (Meso Biomatrix and Veritas); and systematically evaluated their intrinsic biological properties that modulate cell metabolism and recruitment both in vitro and in vivo.Results:The result of the material-conditioned media study demonstrated Meso Biomatrix, Oasis and Gelfoam supported cell proliferation better than Veritas, SurgiSIS and Alloderm. Meso Biomatrix provided the greatest migration and chemotaxis signaling, followed by Veritas and Oasis. Oasis had the best suppression of cell apoptosis. The direct adhesion assay suggested Meso Biomatrix, Veritas and Alloderm had sidedness. In the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay, Gelfoam had the greatest infiltrated cell number (2062±576/cm2), followed by Meso BioMatrix (1565±473/cm2) and Oasis (1986±165/cm2). Alloderm and SurgiSIS had the least cell infiltration. The panel of assays we designed provided a comprehensive assessment on decellularized ECM scaffolds effects on cells.Conclusion:Among tested ECM materials, Meso Biomatrix and Oasis have unique characteristics that facilitate scaffold incorporation, making them promising choices for a variety of clinical applications. Additional investigation into the long-term response of host tissue to biological materials will help develop guiding principles for biomaterial design.