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.
