Use of Decellularized Bio-Scaffolds for the Generation of a Porcine Artificial Intestine

In recent years, great interest has been focused on the development of highly reproducible 3D in vitro models that are able to mimic the physiological architecture and functionality of native tissues. To date, a wide range of techniques have been proposed to recreate an intestinal barrier in vitro, including synthetic scaffolds and hydrogels, as well as complex on-a-chip systems and organoids. Here, we describe a novel protocol for the generation of an artificial intestine based on the creation of decellularized bio-scaffolds and their repopulation with intestinal stromal and epithelial cells. Organs collected at the local slaughterhouse are subjected to a decellularization protocol that includes a freezing/thawing step, followed by sequential incubation in 1% SDS for 12 h, 1% Triton X-100 for 12 h, and 2% deoxycholate for 12 h. At the end of the procedure, the generated bio-scaffolds are repopulated with intestinal fibroblasts and then with epithelial cells. The protocol described here represents a promising and novel strategy to generate an in vitro bioengineered intestine platform able to mimic some of the complex functions of the intestinal barrier, thus constituting a promising 3D strategy for nutritional, pharmaceutical, and toxicological studies.