Micro-mechanical properties of corneal scaffolds from two different bio-models obtained by an efficient chemical decellularization

The present study elucidates the impact of detergent-based chemical decellularization on the micro-mechanical properties of porcine and rabbit corneas for the purpose of extracellular matrix (ECM) derived scaffolds. Aiming to optimize the decellularization process, different concentrations of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS), Triton X-100 and CHAPS detergents were assessed on their ability to decellularize corneas from both bio-models at incubation periods of 12 and 24h. We evaluated the effect of decellularization on corneal ECM Young's Modulus and various area's roughness parameters (topography features) at a microscale by using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Only SDS presented adequate decellularization properties at the selected concentrations (0.2, 0.5 and 1%) and incubation periods. All topography features displayed by native corneas were preserved after SDS treatments, while no statistically significant differences were identified for the average value of Young's Modulus between the control samples and those treated with 0.2% SDS (rabbit corneas) and 0.5% SDS (porcine corneas) after 12h. In this sense, cornea decellularization procedures can be improved by simultaneously reducing SDS concentration and incubation period. AFM is a useful tool to perform biomechanical analysis of the effect of decellularization on scaffold micro-mechanics. Evaluation of the scaffold mechanical behavior at a microscale could help in understanding cell-scaffold interactions in terms of mechanotransduction, complementing macroscale techniques (e.g. tensile tests) relevant for tissue engineering quality control and decision-making.