This article describes the fabrication of ECM-derived foams, which are highly porous scaffolds made from the extracellular matrix. The process involves creating a suspension of ECM powder, solidifying it in molds, and then lyophilizing to achieve a porous structure.
ECM-derived foams are highly porous scaffolds obtained using the extracellular matrix - a non-cellular component of the tissue microenvironment.
To fabricate an ECM-derived foam, begin by taking a homogenous suspension of ultra-fine ECM powder in a tube. Incubate the suspension at a warm temperature with constant agitation to prevent ECM clumping.
Next, using a syringe, transfer the liquified ECM suspension to the desired mold. Refrigerate the mold overnight for the ECM to solidify. The ECM solidifies to form a three-dimensional network structure.
Finally, place the solid ECM-containing mold into a lyophilizer flask. Connect the flask to a freeze dryer system. Inside the lyophilizer, the sample is subjected to an ultracold temperature and low pressure. This results in the formation of ice crystals in the interstitial spaces of the ECM network.
In due course, the pressure and the temperature of the lyophilizer rise gradually. These conditions facilitate sublimation - a process in which the solid directly converts to its gaseous form rather than undergoing melting.
The gaseous vapors evaporate, leaving behind empty spaces inside the ECM network, thereby generating a porous ECM-derived scaffold.
Incubate the ECM suspension at 37 degrees Celsius with continuous agitation at 120 rpm until the suspension is warm. Then, use 0.2 molar acetic acid to dilute the sample suspension to the desired concentration. With the 3-milliliter syringe and an 18G needle, fill the desired mold with the ECM suspension.
Foams can be fabricated in a range of geometries depending on the shape of the mold. Cover and freeze the molds at minus 20 or minus 80 degrees Celsius. Then, place the molds into a lyophilizer flask. Connect the flask to the laboratory freeze dryer system and dry the molds for 24 hours or until fully dried.
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