Mesenchymal stem cell tailored bioengineered scaffolds derived from bubaline diaphragm and aortic matrices for reconstruction of abdominal wall defects.

Bioengineered scaffolds derived from the decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) obtained from discarded animal organs and tissues are attractive candidates for regenerative medicine applications. Tailoring these scaffolds with stem cells enhances their regeneration potential making them a suitable platform for regenerating damaged tissues. Thus, the study was designed to investigate the potential of mesenchymal stem cells tailored acellular bubaline diaphragm and aortic ECM for the repair of full-thickness abdominal wall defects in a rabbit model. Tissues obtained from bubaline diaphragm and aorta were decellularized and bioengineered by seeding with rabbit bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (r-BMSC). Full-thickness abdominal wall defects of 3 cm × 4 cm size were created in a rabbit model and repaired using five different prostheses, namely, polypropylene sheet, nonseeded diaphragm ECM, nonseeded aorta ECM, r-BMSC bioengineered diaphragm ECM, and r-BMSC bioengineered aorta ECM. Results from the study revealed that biological scaffolds are superior in comparison to synthetic polymer mesh for regeneration in terms of collagen deposition, maturation, neovascularization, and lack of any significant (P > 0.05) adhesions with the abdominal viscera. Seeding with r-BMSC significantly increased (P < 0.05) the collagen deposition and biomechanical strength of the scaffolds. The bioengineered r-BMSC seeded acellular bubaline diaphragm showed even superior biomechanical strength as compared to synthetic polymer mesh. Tailoring of the scaffolds with the r-BMSC also resulted in significant reduction (P < 0.01) in antibody and cell mediated immune reactions to the xenogeneic scaffolds in rabbit model.