A new method of removing cells (decellularization) from adipose tissue and the use of the obtained preparation in medicine

A common feature of classic medical biomaterials is their strictly defined composition, which is the result of using purified ingredients. This is how biopolimers biomaterials are made (incl. Integra®DRT), the strictly defined composition of which enables large-scale production. Also the administrative processes related to the implementation of such a medical device are widely known. On the other hand, in the case of medical biomaterials produced from cell-free (decellularized) natural tissues, the starting material is shaped human tissue, from which, during preparation, cells and some components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are removed. The result is a tissue-specific ECM that consists of major structural proteins and components that make up the biochemical context of the original tissue. Thanks to this, decellularized tissues obtain a specific molecules that, for example, promote adipogenesis, i.e. the creation of new cells that build adipose tissue.

Decellularization of adipose tissue is time-consuming due to the high content of lipids. There are currently two main methods in use. The former is based on the use of detergents (e.g. Triton X-100) and digestion of nucleic acids with DNase, while the latter uses sequential digestion with trypsin with isopropyl alcohol washing, combined with enzymatic degradation of nucleic acids and lipids. Both methods enable to produce decellularized adipose tissue with a DNA content of less than 50 μg / mg dry weight and without the presence of lipids, usually taking about seven days.

In order to meet these difficulties, a new invention on the Jagiellonian University, which constitutes this offer, has been developed. Its subject is an innovative technology of obtaining decellularized adipose tissue. Compared to the previous techniques mentioned above, the developed method is characterized in particular by a short preparation time (maximum two days), the use of readily available reagents, and above all - the use of a widely lipoaspirate, available after plastic surgery. In addition, this method is characterized by low hardware requirements and a simple methodology for quality assessment.

Thanks to the development of a new technology, the obtained new preparation - a biomaterial, especially in the form of an extracellular matrix (adipoECM) - is distinguished by the following advantages:

• injectable form is in the form of small and solid fragments of biomaterial;
• the acellular form does not contain cells, therefore it does not undergo necrosis like fat fragments in the popular method of tissue augmentation using liposuction (so-called lipotransfer);
• shows a high potential of healing , promoting angiogenesis and spontaneous adipogenesis, which gives a chance to maintain permanent filling and tissue reconstruction effect;
• is not immunogenic;
• has proven biocompatibility in in vitro and in vivo systems, as well as conducted biochemical and biophysical characteristics, what constitutes product documentation;

• does not require registration as a medical device, because under the applicable law it is a biostatic transplant.
  
  The offered solution is patent pending.
  
  Further work on its development is carried out by scientists from the Faculty of Medicine of the Jagiellonian University Medical College and the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology of the Jagiellonian University.