Developing a Pro-Angiogenic Amniochorionic-Derived Decellularized Scaffold with Two Exposed Basement Membranes for Cultivating Endothelial Cells

Decellularized placental membrane has widely been used as scaffold and graft in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Exceptional pro-angiogenic and biomechanical properties and low immunogenicity have made the amniochorionic membrane a unique scaffold which provides enriched niche for cellular growth. Herein, an optimized combination of enzymatic solutions (based on Streptokinase) with mechanical scrapping is used to remove the amniotic epithelium and chorion trophoblastic layer, which results in exposing the basement membranes of both sides without their separation and subsequent damages to the in-between spongy layer. Biomechanical and biodegradability properties, endothelial proliferation capacity, and in-vivo pro-angiogenic capabilities of the scaffold were also evaluated. Histological staining and scanning electron microscope (SEM) demonstrated that the underlying amniotic and chorionic basement membranes remained intact while the epithelial and trophoblastic layers were entirely removed without considerable damage to basement membranes. The biomechanical evaluation showed that the scaffold is suturable. Proliferation assay and immunohistochemistry demonstrated that both side basement membranes could support growth of endothelial cells without altering endothelial characteristics. The dorsal skinfold chamber animal model indicated that both side basement membranes could promote angiogenesis. This bi-sided decellularized scaffold with two exposed surfaces for cultivating various cells would have potential applications in skin, cardiac, vascularized composite allografts, and microvascular tissue engineering.