Comparison of collagen scaffold tubes for possible esophagus organ tissue engineering applications: In-situ omental implantation study in an ovine model

Background: Esophagus tissue engineering requires optimal scaffolds that can support the implanted cells and integrate with the implanted tissue. Methods: Four collagen scaffolds were investigated in-situ in an ovine model after 8 weeks of omental implantation to assess their suitability with regards to integration and cellular infiltration for esophagus organ tissue engineering: (a) Acellular bovine pericardial collagen (BPC), (b) Acellular cross-linked (HDMI hexamethylene diisocyanate) porcine dermal collagen (PDC), (c) Porcine porous collagen (PPC) and (d) Bovine tendon dual-layered (type-1) collagen (DLC). Results: BPC demonstrated minimal integration with minimal cellular infiltration. PDC was inert to both integration and cellular infiltration. PPC enabled integration to omental tissue; however, demonstrated minimal cellular infiltration. DLC exhibited both omental integration and cellular infiltration. Conclusion: DLC has close to ideal properties for application in esophagus tissue engineering. BPC and PPC could have limited application in esophagus tissue engineering whereas PDC has been found to be unsuitable.

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