{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.01529051987767584, 'fraction_numerical': 0.0, 'mean_word_length': 5.932203389830509, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Rapid and detergent-free decellularization of cartilage.

The use of decellularised tissues or organs as cell culture scaffolds has proven to be a promising approach for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, as these decellularised tissues can provide the instructive niche for cell differentiation and functions. Cartilage is a largely avascular tissue with limited regenerative capacity. Lesions caused by arthritis can lead to severe cartilage degeneration. Previous studies have indicated that decellularized cartilage can be used as scaffolds that support the chondrogenic differentiation of adult stem cells. However, these decellularisation protocols all require the use of denaturing agents, such as high salt and detergents, that lead to the artefactual disruption of the chemical and physical integrity of the tissue microenvironment. Here, we established a new decellularization method for cartilage, through a combined effect of freezing-thawing, sectioning and sonication in water. This protocol achieved the complete removal of cells within minutes, instead of hours or days required by existing procedures, and does not use any detergent. The resulting decellularized cartilage preserved the native ultrastructure and biochemical contents, including glycosaminoglycans which is typically depleted by traditional decellularisation methods. Human mesenchymal stem cells could readily adhere on to the decellularised cartilage. Together, this work unveils that a simple new method for decellularising cartilage, which will be useful in studying how tissue microenvironment supports chondrocyte growth and functions.