High hydrostatic pressure treatment for advanced tissue grafts in reconstructive head and neck surgery

Abstract The increasing importance of regenerative medicine has resulted in a growing need for advanced tissue replacement materials in head and neck surgery. Allo‐ and xenogenic graft processing is often time‐consuming and can deteriorate the extracellular matrix (ECM). High hydrostatic pressure (HHP)‐treatment could allow specific devitalization while retaining the essential properties of the ECM. Porcine connective tissue and cartilage were HHP‐treated at 100–400 MPa for 10 min. Structural modifications following HHP‐exposure were examined using electron microscopy, while devitalization was assessed through metabolism and cell death analyses. Furthermore, ECM alterations and decellularization were evaluated by histology, biomechanical testing, and DNA content analysis. Additionally, the inflammatory potential of HHP‐treated tissue was evaluated in vivo using a dorsal skinfold chamber in a mouse model. The devitalization effects of HHP were dose‐dependent, with a threshold identified at 200 MPa for fibroblasts and chondrocytes. At this pressure level, HHP induced structural alterations in cells, with a shift toward late‐stage apoptosis. HHP‐treatment preserved ECM structure and biomechanical properties, but did not remove cell debris from the tissue. This study observed a pressure‐dependent increase of markers suggesting the occurrence of immunogenic cell death. In vivo investigations revealed an absence of inflammatory responses to HHP‐treated tissue, indicating a favorable biological response to HHP. In conclusion, application of HHP devitalizes fibroblasts and chondrocytes at 200 MPa while retaining the essential properties of the ECM. Prospectively, HHP may simplify the preparation of allo‐ and xenogenic tissue replacement materials and increase the availability of grafts in head and neck surgery.