FIG. 1.

Characterization of decellularized porcine scaECM. Effective decellularization and preservation of major scaECM structural components are demonstrated through histological cross-sectional stains of scaECM and a native carotid artery (positive control), as indicated (a, b—left). Collagen preservation is shown in blue (MTC) (a, left); elastin in black (Verhoeff von Gieson, VVG) (a, right); and GAG in brown (Safranin O) (b, left). Total GAG content was also quantified in native carotid artery and scaECM using the DMMB method (b, right). scaECM luminal ultrastructure was imaged with QuantomiX^® WETSEM^™ (c). The interconnectivity of the major scaECM proteins was visualized through combined SHG (810/405 nm, red) and TPF (810/520, green) imaging of collagen and elastin, respectively, under physiological buffer conditions (d). Right images represent higher magnification as indicated by scale bars (c, d). Scale bars: (a) 500 μm; (b, c—left, d) 50 μm; (c, right) 10 μm. DMMB, di-methyl-methylene blue; GAG, glycosaminoglycan; MTC, Masson's trichrome; scaECM, small-caliber arterial extracellular matrix; SHG, second harmonic generation; TPF, two-photon autofluorescence. Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/tea