Silver nanoparticles improve structural stability and biocompatibility of decellularized porcine liver

Abstract

<p>No ideal cross-linking agent has been identified for decellularized livers (DLs) yet. In this study, we evaluated structural improvements and biocompatibility of porcine DLs after cross-linking with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Porcine liver slices were decellularized and then loaded with AgNPs (100 nm) after optimization of the highest non-toxic concentration (5 µg/mL) using Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and EAhy926 human endothelial cell lines. The cross-linking effect of AgNPs was evaluated and compared to that of glutaraldehyde and ethyl carbodiimide hydrochloride and <i>N</i>-hydroxysuccinimide. The results indicated that AgNPs improved the ultra-structure of DLs’ collagen fibres with good porosity and increased DLs’ resistance against <i>in vitro</i> degradation with good cytocompatibility. AgNPs decreased the host inflammatory reaction against implanted porcine DL slices <i>in vivo</i> and increased the polarization of M2 macrophages. Thus, structural and functional improvements of Porcine DLs could be achieved using AgNPs.</p> <p>The present study used 5 μg/mL silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to cross-link the decellularized porcine liver slices. This method of cross-linking improved the structural stability and the degradation resistance of the decellularized porcine liver slices. It also increased the biocompatibility of the decellularized porcine liver slices compared with those of the non-cross-linked, glutaraldehyde or EDC/NHS cross-linked slices.</p