Decellularized matrix of porcine skeletal muscle (dECM-pSM) and itsin vitrobiocompatibility as a graft approach for oral mucosa regeneration.

Oral mucosa regeneration represents a significant clinical challenge due to the limited availability of autologous grafts and associated morbidity. This study focused on developing and characterizing decellularized matrices decellularized extracellular matrix porcine skeletal muscle (dECM-pSM) for their potential use in oral mucosa restoration. A perfusion decellularization protocol was implemented on pSM segments, utilizing a combination of physical (perfusion), chemical (SDS), and enzymatic (DNase-1) agents over 18 d. The effectiveness of the process was evaluated macroscopically, through histological stains (H&E, DAPI, Masson's Trichrome), scanning electron microscopy, DNA quantification, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The thermal properties (TGA, DSC), swelling (Sw), and biocompatibility of the dECM-pSM with human gingiva fibroblast cells (HGF) were analyzed, including adhesion and viability assays. The results showed successful decellularization, with significant removal of nuclear material (0.7 ng mg-1residual DNA) with preservation of the three-dimensional architecture of ECMs and physicochemical properties, as confirmed by histological integrity of the fiber and porous structures, preserved characteristic bands of amide groups, and stable thermal properties after the decellularization process. The dECM-pSM maintained their Swcapacity (300% after 5 min) and demonstrated desirablein vitrobiocompatibility, promoting the adhesion at 92% after 2 d, and viability of 80% after 4 d of HGF compared to the control, without evidence of cytotoxicity. These results suggest that the developed protocol yields decellularized matrices with suitable properties for tissue engineering applications.