Biological properties of decellularized porcine heart valve leaflets

Purpose To investigate the biological properties of decellularized porcine heart valve leaflets. Methods Specimens of porcine aortic valve leaflets were treated with Triton-X100,0.25% sodium deoxycholate and RNase and DNase.Then scanning electron microscopy and hematoxylin-eosin staining were examined.Its biomechanical characteristics were tested and soluble protein content was measured.The decellularized porcine heart valve leaflets were transplanted subcutaneously in rabbit for 12 weeks,the histology was examined. Results The heart valve leaflets were completely removed of the cell components and the construction of the valve was maintained.The biomechanical characteristics of decellularized valve leaflets and the fresh ones were almost similar.Soluble protein content was 365 μg/mL and 1632 μg/mL in decellularized and fresh groups.The immunogenicity of the decellularized valve leaflets were alleviated significantly compared with the fresh ones. Conclusions Decellularized porcine heart valve leaflets can be applied to develop tissue engineering heart valve as scaffold.