Decellularization does not eliminate thrombogenicity and inflammatory stimulation in tissue-engineered porcine heart valves.

Abstract

Important differences were found in the decellularization efficacy of treatment methods. However, even complete elimination of cells and their remnants did not result in a biologically inert matrix. The decellularized porcine heart valve matrix has the potential to attract inflammatory cells and to induce platelet activation. These findings suggest that it will be important to control the different inflammation-stimulating factors if porcine tissues are to be used successfully in tissue engineering.