biostudies-literatureHannon EGreat Ormond Street Hospital Childrens CharityMedical Research CouncilNational Institute for Health Research (NIHR)Rosetrees105174https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9547295biostudies-literatureUnknown25(10)Decellularization of esophagi from several species for tissue engineering is well described, but successful implantation in animal models of esophageal replacement has been challenging. The purpose of this study was to assess feasibility and applicability of esophageal replacement using decellularized porcine esophageal scaffolds in a new pre-clinical model. Following surgical replacement in rabbits with a vascularizing muscle flap, we observed successful anastomoses of decellularized scaffolds, cues of early neovascularization, and prevention of luminal collapse by the use of biodegradable stents. However, despite the success of the surgical procedure, the long-term survival was limited by the fragility of the animal model. Our results indicate that transplantation of a decellularized poriScienceLessons learned from pre-clinical testing of xenogeneic decellularized esophagi in a rabbit model.PMC9547295M362-F1M362M553MR/R002118/1V8520NIHR-CS-012-002CDF-2017-10-037ICA-CDRF-2017-03-053V0117Eaton SPellegrini MMaughan EFLowdell MWPhylactopoulos DEScottoni FHutchinson JCUrbani LProctor TJLutman RHannon EBonfanti PButler CRDurkin NArthurs OJShibuya SDe Coppi PfalseLessons learned from pre-clinical testing of xenogeneic decellularized esophagi in a rabbit model.Decellularization of esophagi from several species for tissue engineering is well described, but successful implantation in animal models of esophageal replacement has been challenging. The purpose of this study was to assess feasibility and applicability of esophageal replacement using decellularized porcine esophageal scaffolds in a new pre-clinical model. Following surgical replacement in rabbits with a vascularizing muscle flap, we observed successful anastomoses of decellularized scaffolds, cues of early neovascularization, and prevention of luminal collapse by the use of biodegradable stents. However, despite the success of the surgical procedure, the long-term survival was limited by the fragility of the animal model. Our results indicate that transplantation of a decellularized por2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Oct2026-05-31T16:05:56.279Z2025-02-19T01:28:13.389ZS-EPMC95472953621754510.1016/j.isci.2022.105174