[Preparation of acellular matrix from antler cartilage and its biological compatibility].

OBJECTIVE

To study the feasibility of acellular matrix materials prepared from deer antler cartilage and its biological compatibility so as to search for a new member of the extracellular matrix family for cartilage regeneration.

METHODS

The deer antler mesenchymal (M) layer tissue was harvested and treated through decellular process to prepare M layer acellular matrix; histologic observation and detection of M layer acellular matrix DNA content were carried out. The antler stem cells [antlerogenic periosteum (AP) cells] at 2nd passage were labelled by fluorescent stains and by PKH26. Subsequently, the M layer acellular matrix and the AP cells at 2nd passage were co-cultured for 7 days; then the samples were transplanted into nude mice to study the tissue compatibility of M layer acellular matrix in the living animals.

RESULTS

HE and DAPI staining confirmed that the M layer acellular matrix did not contain nucleus; the DNA content of the M layer acellular matrix was (19.367±5.254) ng/mg, which was significantly lower than that of the normal M layer tissue [(3 805.500±519.119) ng/mg]( =12.630, =0.000). co-culture experiments showed that AP cells could adhere to or even embedded in the M layer acellular matrix. Nude mice transplantation experiments showed that the introduced AP cells could proliferate and induce angiogenesis in the M layer acellular matrix.

CONCLUSION

The deer antler cartilage acellular matrix is successfully prepared. The M layer acellular matrix is suitable for adhesion and proliferation of AP cells and , and it has the function of stimulating angiogenesis. This model for deer antler cartilage acellular matrix can be applied in cartilage tissue engineering in the future.