Fabrication of Injectable Hydrogel from Decellularized Adipose Tissue

The decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) has been established as an ideal biomaterial in tissue engineering applications with potential clinical translation. In the present study, we aimed to generate a hydrogel from decellularized adipose tissue. Adipose tissue samples were collected from the liposuction procedure and subjected to undergo a series of delipidation and decellularization. Oil Red O staining illustrated the complete removal of lipid, whereas the absence of cellular nuclei in histology staining and low DNA residual content indicated an acellular matrix. Decellularized adipose tissue was further fabricated into a hydrogel. Histological evaluation and scanning electron images demonstrated a fibrous ultrastructure of the hydrogel. Furthermore, short-term in vivo observation detected the gelation after 2 h being implanted subcutaneously, which demonstrated dAT hydrogel was capable of self-assembling under physiological condition. Taken together, these results indicated the potential approach of hydrogel from decellularized adipose tissue in tissue engineering.