Development of decellularized meniscus using closed sonication treatment system: as potential scaffolds for orthopedics tissue engineering applications

Purpose: Meniscus is a fibrocartilagenous tissue that cannot effectively heal due to its complex structure and avascular zone present. Thus, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine offer an alternative for the regeneration of meniscus tissues using bioscaffolds as a replacement for the damaged one. The aim of this study is to prepare an ideal meniscus bioscaffold with a minimal adverse effect on extracellular matrix components (ECM) using sonication treatment system. Methods : The decellularization was achieved using developed closed sonication treatment system for 10 hours continued with washing process for 5 days. For the control, a simple immersion treatment was set as a benchmark to compare the decellularization efficiency. Histological and biochemical assays were conducted to investigate the cells removal and retention of the vital extracellular matrix. Besides that, surface ultrastructure of the prepared scaffolds was evaluated using Scanning Electron Microscope at 5000x magnification viewed from the cross and longitudinal sections. In addition, the biomechanical properties were investigated through ball indentation testing to study the stiffness, residual forces and compression characteristics. Statistical significance between the samples was determined with p-value: 0.05. Results: Histological and biochemical assays confirmed the elimination of antigenic cellular components with the retention of the vital extracellular matrix within the sonicated scaffolds. However, there was a significant removal of sulphated glycosaminoglycans. The surface histoarchitecture portrayed the preserved collagen fibrils orientation and arrangement with the presence of micropores which assumed to represent the cells lacunae. The biomechanical properties of bioscaffolds showed the retention of viscoelastic behavior of the scaffolds which mimic native tissues. The scaffolds through immersion had poor results compared to the sonicated scaffolds due to the inefficiency of the treatment. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study reported that the closed sonication treatment system had high capabilities to prepare ideal bioscaffolds with the excellent removal of cellular components, retained extracellular matrix and biomechanical properties