Recellularization on Acellular Lung Tissue Scaffold Using Perfusion-Based Bioreactor: An Online Monitoring Strategy

In this study, we improved a perfusion-based bioreactor (PBB) system to recellularize acellular lung scaffolds. A method was used for the online monitoring of the recellularization process in order to find more data during a re-seeding procedure. Lungs were harvested from young adult (2-month-old) male rats. After preparation and pre-decellularization, the lungs were decellularized with liquid detergent in order to obtain an acellular scaffold. Acelluar tissues were stained by hematoxylin and eosin to verify efficient removal of cell components and debris. Furthermore, the maintenance of the extracellular matrix architecture was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. After rinsing for detergent removal, human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells were cultured on acellular tissue using a PBB. Data analysis of the dissolved oxygen through culturing indicated a specific growth rate of 0.0199 h−1 (doubling time, td = 34 h). The average oxygen uptake rate per cell was measured as 14.3 nmol/min per 106 cells. This study demonstrates that recellularization on acellular tissue can be monitored online to provide insight into the growth behavior of cells. The results show the high performance design of PBBs for tissue-engineered lungs.