Hai-Ling Margaret Cheng1,2, Yasir Loai3,
Marine Beaumont1, Walid A. Farhat3
1Research Institute & Diagnostic
Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 2Medical
Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 3Division
of Urology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Scaffolds
derived from natural tissue acellular matrix (ACM) possess native
biomechanical and biological properties difficult to achieve with synthetic
materials. Despite their promise, ACM optimization is needed and remains in
early development. This study investigates the bladder ACM, which is useful for
regenerating various tissues, and effects of incorporating hyaluronic acid
(HA), a natural biomaterial useful in tissue regeneration. Quantitative MRI
measurements (T1, T2, diffusion) at 1.5 Tesla are consistent with HA presence
and two-fold water uptake from HA incorporation, with multicomponent T2
distinguishing the two effects. These results provide baseline MRI data for
studying further manipulation such as cell-seeding.
Keywords