Fig. 3.

Light microscopic comparison of native controls (A–C) vs. decellularized specimens (D–I). A–C shows the normal morphology of the foreskin tissue stained with HE, orcein, and Masson’s trichrome, respectively. HE-stained foreskin control (A) shows the epithelial lining of the epidermis with a sebaceous gland and normally structured dermis with typical connective tissue components. The dermal layer contains elastic (B) and type I collagen fibers (C) crossing each other in different directions. Both the E protocol (D,E,F) and D protocol (G,H,I) of decellularization removed all cellular components, while at the same time preserving the structural integrity and density of elastic and collagen fibers of the ECM.