A Composite Membrane of Decellularized Small Intestinal Submucosa and Polycaprolactone for Bladder Tissue Engineering

The current method of bladder augmentation using the autologous intestine is limited due to complications. Bladder tissue engineering with biomaterials offers alternative solutions to using autologous tissues, helping to avoid related problems. Here, we developed a membrane based on bioactive decellularized small intestinal submucosa (dSIS). To address the limitation of dSIS being nonwaterproof in urinary conditions, we combined dSIS with a biocompatible polymer, polycaprolactone (PCL). The dSIS has been proven to have an acceptably low DNA content as a suitable transplantable material while maintaining bioactive growth factors for regenerative medicine. The content of PCL was optimized to ensure waterproof properties. We demonstrated that the composite membrane could block the permeation of water and is suturable with a 4-0 suture. <i>In vitro</i> biocompatibility tests using simian virus 40 (SV40)-transformed human uroepithelial cells (SV-HUC), human fibroblasts (HF), and mouse skeletal muscle cell line (C1C12) indicated that the dSIS-PCL composite membrane had no negative effects on the cells, including cell viability, proliferation, migration, and even mRNA transcription. Subcutaneous implantation <i>in vivo</i> also showed a low inflammatory response, suggesting the biocompatibility of this composite material. Overall, the dSIS-PCL composite membrane has immense potential as a candidate material for bladder tissue engineering.