Mechanical properties of acellular mouse lungs after sterilization by gamma irradiation

作者：Uriarte Juan J; Nonaka Paula N; Campillo Noelia; Palma Renata K; Melo Esther; de Oliveira Luis V F; Navajas Daniel; Farre Ramon^*

来源：Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 2014, 40: 168-177.

DOI：10.1016/j.jmbbm.2014.08.017

• Lung decellularization
• Organ scaffold
• Gamma irradiation
• Pulmonary mechanics
• Lung bioengineering

Lung bioengineering using decellularized organ scaffolds is a potential alternative for lung transplantation. Clinical application will require donor scaffold sterilization. As gamma-irradiation is a conventional method for sterilizing tissue preparations for clinical application, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of lung scaffold sterilization by gamma irradiation on the mechanical properties of the acellular lung when subjected to the artificial ventilation maneuvers typical within bioreactors. Twenty-six mouse lungs were decellularized by a sodium dodecyl sulfate detergent protocol. Eight lungs were used as controls and 18 of them were submitted to a 31 kGy gamma irradiation sterilization process (9 kept frozen in thy ice and 9 at room temperature). Mechanical properties of acellular lungs were measured before and after irradiation. Lung resistance (R-L) and elastance (E-L) were computed by linear regression fitting of recorded signals during mechanical ventilation (tracheal pressure, flow and volume). Static (E-st) and dynamic (E-dyn) elastances were obtained by the end-inspiratory occlusion method. After irradiation lungs presented higher values of resistance and elastance than before irradiation: R-L increased by 41.1% (room temperature irradiation) and 32.8% (frozen irradiation) and E-L increased by 41.8% (room temperature irradiation) and 31.8% (frozen irradiation). Similar increases were induced by irradiation in E-st and E-dyn. Scanning electron microscopy showed slight structural changes after irradiation, particularly those kept frozen. Sterilization by gamma irradiation at a conventional dose to ensure sterilization modifies acellular lung mechanics, with potential implications for lung bioengineering.

• 出版日期2014-12