FIG. 2.
Effects of freeze drying on decellularized and customized scaffolds. (A) Highly cellular non-freeze-dried native tissue. (B) Cell removal reveals a porous intact ECM after decellularization. (C) Decreased matrix density is evident after customization. (D) Decellularized scaffolds in the Tf=−10°C group display a nonhomogenous matrix with fiber rupture within the wall center. (E) Tf=−40°C shows markedly less fiber disruption than Tf=−10°C. (F) SF Tf=−40°C produced a homogenous structure with minimal ECM disruption for the decellularized scaffolds. (G) The Tf=−10°C customized scaffold showed evidence of fiber disruption but not as severe as the decellularized scaffold. (H) Fiber damage was visible for the customized scaffolds in the Tf=−40°C group with consistent drying. (I) SF Tf=−40°C customized scaffolds resembled the non-freeze-dried scaffolds with homogenous drying. All scale bars indicate 200 μm. Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/tec