Methods Mol Biol. 2024 Mar 21. doi: 10.1007/7651_2024_534. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a noncellular component of tissues that provides structural and biochemical support to cells. The purpose of decellularization is to provide a tissue-specific niche to preserve the architecture, composition, and signaling molecules of the ECM. The current protocol discusses the standardization of chondrocyte isolation and the preparation of acellular ECM as a bioink additive from human native articular cartilage. Isolated chondrocytes with bioink additives provide a tissue-specific microenvironment. Herein, we discuss a standardized protocol with multiple applications in the area of organ-on-a-chip model development, spheroid formation, microfluidics platform, bioprinting, and tissue engineering. Cartilage tissue engineering is complex owing to the heterogeneous complex proteins, which are a challenge to synthesize; hence, this protocol in many ways offers cues to exploit the acellular ECM for multiple ongoing research studies.

PMID:38507214 | DOI:10.1007/7651_2024_534