In Vitro Experience with Tissue Engineered Heart Valve on Decellular Porcine Aortic Valve

ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility of tissue engineered heart valve on decellular porcine aortic valves.MethodsA detergent and enzymatic extraction process has been developed to remove cellular components from porcine aortic valve(experimental group), de-endothelial porcine aortic valve (control group) as comparison.Shrinkage temperature, tensile stress and the content of hydrogen, soluble protein were detected in the experimental group and control group. Cells of canine aortic wall and aortic endothelium were seeded on the decellular valves in experimental group. The seeded cells' growth condition were observed and their function of prostaglandin I 2 (PGI 2) synthesis were detected.ResultsCellular components were completely removed from porcine aortic valves in experimental group. Hydrogen were significantly increased (P0.05) and soluble protein were significantly decreased (P0.05) in experimental group. Decellular valve had good biocompatibility and was completely degradable at the end of the 10th week. Canine aortic wall interstitial cells and aortic endothelium grew well on the decellular valves. The seeded endothelium can synthesize and secret PGI 2 .ConclusionsCellular components and soluble protein are removed from porcine aortic valves with the detergent and enzymatic extraction process, meanwhile the collagen structure and mechanic characteristics of the decellular valves are well preserved. The seeded cells grow well on the decellular valves and synthesize, and secret angio-active substances, which confirm the tissue engineered heart valve constructed with the decellular valves has physiological function.