PMC

Calcification in implanted scaffolds. Scaffolds treated with PGG or non-treated controls were implanted subdermally in control and diabetic rats. Explants were stained with Alizarin Red histology stain for calcium (positive=red).

Cell infiltration in elastin scaffolds. Decellularized porcine carotids treated with PGG or non-treated controls were implanted subdermally in control and diabetic rats. Explants were stained by Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E, dark purple=nuclei, pink=background substance) and IHC for vimentin (Vim.), CD8 (T-lymphocytes) and CD68 (macrophages). Positive IHC reaction=brown.

Cell infiltration in collagen scaffolds. Decellularized porcine aortic valve cusps treated with PGG or non-treated controls were implanted subdermally in control and diabetic rats. Explants were stained by Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E, dark purple=nuclei, pink=background substance) and immunohistochemistry for vimentin (Vim.), CD8 (T-lymphocytes) and CD68 (macrophages). Positive IHC reaction=brown.

Mechanical properties and matrix cross-linking in explanted scaffolds. Biaxial stress strain analysis showing tension vs. stretch plots, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showing thermal denaturation temperatures (T_d) of collagen scaffolds (top panel) and elastin scaffolds (bottom panel) after subdermal implantation in control rats and in diabetic rats. *indicates statistical significance.

Advanced glycation end products and lipid peroxidation products in explanted scaffolds. (top panel) Immunohistochemical detection of carboxymethyl lysine (CML) in non-treated and PGG-treated collagen and elastin scaffolds implanted in control and diabetic rats (positive=brown). (bottom panel) Pentosidine (left) and malondialdehyde (MDA, right) content in non-treated and PGG-treated collagen and elastin scaffolds after implantation in diabetic rats. *indicates statistical significance.

ECM remodeling in implanted scaffolds. Scaffolds treated with PGG or non-treated controls were implanted subdermally in control and diabetic rats. (upper panel) Explants were stained with Movat’s Pentachrome histology stain (yellow=collagen, blue=glycosaminoglycans, dark purple=elastin, bright red=nuclei). (bottom panel) Protein extracts from collagen scaffolds (left) and elastin scaffolds (right) were analyzed for matrix metalloproteinase activity by gelatin zymography followed by densitometry (inserts, positive=white bands); results are shown as relative density units (RDU). *indicates statistical significance.

Macroscopic and histological images of fresh and decellularized (decell) porcine aortic valve cusps (collagen scaffolds) and carotid arteries (elastin scaffolds) used in this study. For histological analysis, tissues were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E, dark purple=nuclei, pink=background substance) and Movat’s Pentachrome (yellow=collagen, blue=glycosaminoglycans, dark purple=elastin, bright red=nuclei). Tissues and scaffolds were also stained by immunohistochemistry for laminin and collagen type IV (brown=positive). Cusp layers: V = ventricularis, S = spongiosa, F = fibrosa. Arterial layers: I = Intima, M = Media, A = Adventitia.