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Cited by 43Tissue Engineering and Regenerative MedicineTendon Structure and TreatmentBone Tissue Engineering Materials

Efficient decellularization of equine tendon with preserved biomechanical properties and cytocompatibility for human tendon surgery indications

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Aeberhard, Pierre‐Arnaud, Grognuz, Anthony, Peneveyre, Cédric, McCallin, Shawna, Hirt‐Burri, Nathalie, Antons, Jens, Pioletti, Dominique, Raffoul, Wassim +1 more·2020·Artificial Organs
DOI 10.1111/aor.13581PMC PMC7154770
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Abstract

Chronic and acute tendon injuries are frequent afflictions, for which treatment is often long and unsatisfactory. When facing extended injuries, matrices and scaffolds with sufficient biomechanical properties are required for surgical repair and could additionally serve as supports for cellular therapies to improve healing. In this study, protocols of either commonly used detergents only (SDS 1%, Triton 1%, TBP 1%, and Tween‐20 1%) or a combination of freeze/thaw (F/T) cycles with decellularization agents (NaCl 1M, ddH 2 O) were evaluated for the decellularization of horse equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) for hand flexor or extensor tendon reconstruction. Decellularization efficiency was assessed microscopically by histological staining (HE, DAPI) and DNA quantification. Macroscopical structure and biomechanical integrity of the tendon matrices were further assessed by gross observation, histological staining (SR), and mechanical testing (ultimate strain and stress, Young’s modulus, energy to failure) for select protocols. Decellularization with hypertonic NaCl 1M in association with F/T cycles produced the most robust tendon matrices, which were nontoxic after 10 days for subsequent recellularization with human fetal progenitor tendon cells (hFPTs). This standardized protocol uses a less aggressive decellularization agent than current practice, which allows subsequent reseeding with allogenic cells, therefore making them very suitable and bioengineered tendon matrices for human tendon reconstruction in the clinic.

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  • SDS is highly effective for whole organ decellularization and preserving tissue ultrastructure and vascular integrity, but can damage key proteins and signaling molecules, altering mechanical properties and necessitating thorough rinsing.

    “SDS, while highly effective for whole organ decellularization and preserving tissue ultrastructure and vascular integrity, can damage key proteins and signaling molecules, thus altering mechanical properties and necessitating thorough rinsing.”

    From Bioactive scaffolds for tissue engineering: A review of decellularized extracellular matrix applications and innovations (2025) · cites this paper as [40]

    The Results (Macroscopic structure; Biomechanical assessment) and Discussion report that SDS-treated equine tendons shrank, showed disorganized collagen fibers, and had altered mechanical properties. The Introduction says decellularization chemicals must be thoroughly removed. The paper does not establish SDS’s effectiveness in whole organs, preservation of ultrastructure or vascular integrity, or damage to signaling molecules; its tendon findings run against the asserted structural preservation. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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  • SDS can lead to shrinkage and stiffening in dense matrices, such as tendons, highlighting its limitations for certain applications.

    “However, SDS can lead to shrinkage and stiffening in dense matrices, such as tendons, highlighting its limitations for certain applications.”

    From Bioactive scaffolds for tissue engineering: A review of decellularized extracellular matrix applications and innovations (2025) · cites this paper as [40]

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Authors
Aeberhard, P., Grognuz, A., Peneveyre, C., McCallin, S., Hirt‐Burri, N., Antons, J., Pioletti, D., Raffoul, W., & Applegate, L. A.
Affiliations
  • Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CH)
  • École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (CH)
Corresponding author
Applegate, Lee Ann
ORCID
Venue
Artificial Organs
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2019-11-14
Volume
44
Issue
4
Pages
E161-E171
ISSN
  • 0160-564X (ISSN-L)
  • 1525-1594
DOI
10.1111/aor.13581
PMC
PMC7154770
OpenAlex
W2980818491
Cited by
43
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 1
FWCI
3.34
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Artificial Organs (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • IRIS (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Infoscience (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • SERVAL (Université de Lausanne) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
Fondation Leenaards
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Tendon Structure and Treatment
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Bone Tissue Engineering Materials
Keywords
decellularization, equine tendons, superficial digital flexor tendon, freeze-thaw cycles, hypertonic saline, tendon biomechanics, cytocompatibility, recellularization, tendon reconstruction
MeSH terms
Animals, Biomechanical Phenomena, Extracellular Matrix, Freezing, Horses, Humans, Materials Testing, Sodium Chloride, Tendon Injuries, Tendons, Fetal Stem Cells, Tissue Scaffolds

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