Preparation and Functional Characterization of Decellularized Bovine Tendon Scaffolds for Tendon Tissue Engineering

The study was conducted to develop a naturally derived tendon tissue engineered scaffold with the preservation of the native ultra-structure, tensile strength and biochemical composition of the tendon extracellular matrix. Decellularization was achieved by using two different protocols viz. repeated freeze and thaw technique and 2% SDS. In vitro evaluation of the graft was done by H&E staining, Masson-Trichome staining, Alcian blue staining, DNA quantification analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The in vitro evaluation suggested that SDS was better than freeze and thaw technique in terms of effective decellularization. The cell removal was better in SDS group than freeze and thaw as depicted by H&E staining and DNA quantification. Also the structure and alignment of collagen fibers were preserved in SDS group. The intrinsic ultra structure of tendon tissue was well preserved based on scanning electron microscopy examination.