Table 1.

Summary of Rat Lung De-cellularization Methods De-cellularization reagent, duration of protocol, levels of nuclear material still present after de-cellularization and proliferation after re-seeding is summarized above. CP de-cellularization appears to remove nucleic acids as well as the MP protocol in a shorter period of time while using a single reagent. CF de-cellularization appears to be ineffective in removing all nuclear material from the matrix during this time point. Following re-seeding, cell proliferation was observed only when utilizing the CP de-cellularized scaffold following 3 days in a bioreactor. Abbreviations: 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), Propidium Iodide (PI), Sodium Deoxycholate (SDC), Sodium Chloride (NaCl), Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS).

Decell method	Decell reagent(s)	Airway rinse volume	Vasculature rinse volume	Duration of protocol	Nuclei present	DNA/RNA present (PI)	Nucleic acids present (TOPRO-3)	Proliferation following Re-seeding
3 Day method	Triton-X, SDC, NaCl, DNAse via trachea & vasculature	150 ml	150 ml	3 Days	None	Minimal	Minimal	No
Perfusion/flow-base	0.1% SDS via trachea & vasculature	50 ml	3,456 ml	20.5 H	Scarce	Significant retention	Significant retention	No
Pressure-base	0.1% SDS via vasculature	None	30–40 L	20.5 H	None	Minimal	Minimal	Yes