Host Tissue Response to Subcutaneously Implanted Native and Acellular Scaffold in a Rabbit Model

Host tissue response to subcutaneously implanted native and acellular scaffolds (buffalo diaphragm) was carried out after cross-linking with 0.5% Glutaraldehyde (GA) and 0.5% Hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDC). The uncross-linked native and acellular scaffolds were used as control. Macroscopic and microscopic histopathological observations were carried out. Host inflammatory responses was observed in the grafted scaffolds by hematoxylin and eosin staining and the sections were also subjected to Masson’s Trichrome staining to observe the deposition of collagen in the grafted scaffolds. Extent of host reaction was more in the native scaffolds as compared to acellular scaffolds. Acellular scaffolds were found better then the cross-linked acellular scaffolds.However, HMDC crosslinked scaffolds were found better organized in comparison to GA crosslinked scaffolds. Masson’s Trichrome staining showed reorganization of collagen at day 90 and subsidization of host inflammatory reaction as compared to 15, 30 and 60 days.