Optimization of Enzymatic and Chemical Decellularization of Native Porcine Heart Valves for the Generation of Decellularized Xenografts.

One of the most important medical interventions for individuals with heart valvular disease is heart valve replacement, which is not without substantial challenges, particularly for pediatric patients. Due to their biological properties and biocompatibility, natural tissue-originated scaffolds derived from human or animal sources are one type of scaffold that is widely used in tissue engineering. However, they are known for their high potential for immunogenicity. Being free of cells and genetic material, decellularized xenografts, consequently, have low immunogenicity and, thus, are expected to be tolerated by the recipient's immune system. The scaffold ultrastructure and ECM composition can be affected by cell removal agents. Therefore, applying an appropriate method that preserves intact the structure of the ECM plays a critical role in the final result. So far, there has not been an effective decellularization technique that preserves the integrity of the heart valve's ultrastructure while securing the least amount of genetic material left. This study demonstrates a new protocol with untraceable cells and residual DNA, thereby maximally reducing any chance of immunogenicity. The mechanical and biochemical properties of the ECM resemble those of native heart valves. Results from this study strongly indicate that different critical factors, such as ionic detergent omission, the substitution of Triton X-100 with Tergitol, and using a lower concentration of trypsin and a higher concentration of DNase and RNase, play a significant role in maintaining intact the ultrastructure and function of the ECM.

Validation of Quantitative PCR-Taqman Probe Method for Detection of Residual NS0 Host Cell DNA / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To validate a PCR-Taqman probe method for detection of residual DNA of NS0 host cells. METHODS: Multiple pairs of primers and probes were designed and synthesized for the NS0 genome repeat sequence, and the optimal primer probe combination was selected through experiments. Pretreatment kit (magnetic bead method) was used to enrich and purify the host cell DNA residue in the sample.According to the requirements of ICH and China Pharmacopoeia general principle No. 9101, validation of the detection method including linearity and range, accuracy,precision, specificity, quantitative limit and reference DNA calibration was carried out for self-developed residual CHO host cell DNA quantitation kit (PCR-Taqman probe).Using the intermediate product and drug substance of the monoclonal antibody process produced by NS0 cells, the test performance of the kit was verified, and five independent laboratories were organized to coordinate the calibration. RESULTS: NS0 cell DNA detection (Taqman method) forward primer sequence was CCCCTTCAGCTCCTTGGGTA, reverse primer sequence was GCCTGGCAAATACAGAAGTGG, and probe sequence was FAM-AGGGCCCCCAATGGAGGAGCT-TAMRA. The standard curve of DNA was in the range of 3 fg•μL-1 to 300 pg•μL-1 with good linearity (r2>0. 99). The deviation of the mean from the true value was less than 15% at six different concentrations. The quantitative limit was 3 fg•μL-1.The DNA calibration result of the internal reference sample was 30 μg•mL-1. Good precision (RSD≤30%) was obtained. The q-PCR method was specific for CHO DNA, which showed no responses to the DNA of E. coli, human genome DNA(kidney epithelium 293T cells), and CHO genome DNA(Chinese hamster ovary cells). In addition, the detection recovery rate was in the range of 70% to 130% with RSD less than 15% for the intermediate products and drug substance in the production process. The RSD of the five collaborative laboratories was less than 30%. CONCLUSION: The self-developed residual NS0 host cell DNA quantitation kit (PCR-Taqman probe) has good specificity, sensitivity and accuracy, and can meet the requirements of host DNA residue detection.