Figure 1.

Histological study of native (A1,A2) and decellularized ovine aortic roots under hematoxylin-eosin staining. Decellularization protocols included scCO₂-assisted processing at the pressure of 15 MPa (B1,B2) and 25 MPa (C1,C2) with the use of ethanol as a co-solvent; combinations of alkaline treatment with scCO₂-assisted processing at the pressure of 10 MPa (D1, D2) and 15 MPa (E1,E2); detergents alone (F1,F2) or with following scCO₂ treatment at the pressure of 15 MPa (G1,G2) and 25 MPa (H1,H2). Three layers are indicated in aortic valve leaflets: ventricularis (V), fibrosa (F) and spongiosa (S). Additionally, three layers are indicated in aortic walls: intima (I), media (M) and adventitia (A). Typical accumulations of cells are shown with asterisks (*, see Supplementary Figure S1 for enlarged images).