Decellularized Extracellular Matrix Scaffolds for Cartilage Regeneration

Decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) is gaining a lot of attention as a biomaterial for tissue engineering applications. This chapter describes the processing techniques for decellularization of cell-derived ECM and protocols for the fabrication of ECM-based scaffolds in the form of hydrogels or fibrous polymer meshes by electrospinning. It describes the protocols to analyze the morphology and presence of collagen in fabricated scaffolds using scanning electron microscope and Picrosirius Red staining respectively. Methods to evaluate the metabolic activity and proliferation of cells (resazurin-based assay and DNA assay, respectively) and gene expression are also presented. Furthermore, histological techniques to analyze the presence of sulfated glycosaminoglycans are also described.