Fig. 2
Investigation into the structure and components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the native tissue and decellularized scaffold. (a) Gross appearance of the tissue samples before and after decellularization, demonstrating a change in color, while maintaining a similar form as its native tissue. (b) Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining images of the normal and tumor tissue before and after decellularization. (c) The concentration of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the normal and tumor tissue before and after decellularization (µg in mg of wet tissue). (d) The concentration of collagen in the normal and tumor tissue before and after decellularization (µg in mg of wet tissue). (e) Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of both native and decellularized samples showing the absence of cellular components in the latter, accompanied by increased porosity and cross-linked components in the decellularized tumor compared to the decellularized normal samples. (f) DAPI images of the tissue before and after decellularization, showing complete removal of cells after decellularization.
