OBJECTIVETo develop a method for preparing a decellularized scaffold based on human liver tissue.

METHODSA surgical specimen of the left lateral lobe of the liver was obtained from a patients with hepatic hemangioma. The decellularization process was performed by repeated freezing-thawing, sequential perfusion with 0.01% SDS, 0.1% SDS and 1% Triton X-100 through the portal vein, and sterilization with peracetic acid. L-02 cells were then engrafted onto the decellularized liver scaffold.

RESULTSHE staining, DAPI staining and scanning electron microscopy all verified the absence of residual cellular components in the decellularized scaffold. The residual DNA content in the decellularized scaffolds was 25.3∓14.6 ng/mg (dry weight), which was less than 1% of the total DNA content in a fresh human liver. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that type I and IV collagens, fibronectin and elastin were all retained in the scaffold. The engrafted L-02 cells survived well on the scaffold with active proliferation and expressed albumin and G6pc.

CONCLUSIONIt is feasible to prepare decellularized scaffolds using surgical specimens of human liver, which can be a new approach to constructing a tissue-engineered liver for clinical purposes.