Elastin preservation of decellularized animal tissues

• Main Author: Lim, Hui Hsing
• Other Authors: Teoh Swee Hin
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/68461
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Elastin is an essential protein that endows the elastic properties in a variety of tissues that requires resiliency such as the skin and blood vessels. It is present in the blood vessels where it plays an important role in the rheological properties, in particular the post-systolic elastic recoil which is the basis to prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Unlike collagen, elastin production gradually terminates after early adulthood and the ability to replace or repair old or injured fibres is permanently lost. Deccellularized method widely studied today for vascular replacement was also proven to degrade elastin which affects the elastic property of the decellularized tissue. Hence, with elastin being important and unreproducible, it is necessary to preserve the elastin content and its elastic structure. In this study, cyanogen bromide (CNBr) and formic acid which were used previously to preserve elastin were applied on porcine carotid arteries. Characterization tests suggested that cyanogen bromide, together with formic acid, at room temperature proved to be the optimal parameter for the aim. Histology and scanning electron microscopy examination revealed dense elastic fibres without fragmentation. Furthermore, quantitative DNA analysis confirmed that the parameter were effective in removing the DNA contents. Last, but not least, stress-stain analysis has demonstrated the ability of elastic fibres to stretch under stress. Overall, this study shows that CNBr with formic acid can be used for elastin content and structure preservation, and has clinical relevance for application in patients who require replacement or repair for destroyed, mutated or injured elastic tissues.