Vascularization of Human Acellular Dermal Matrices: A Comparative Study in a Nonhuman Primate Model.

Four human acellular dermal matrices (hADMs) were characterized in a nonhuman primate abdominal wall repair model by evaluating host immune response, vascularization, and incorporation into host tissues. AlloDerm™ (electron beam-sterilized hADM [e-hADM]), AlloMax™ (gamma beam-sterilized hADM, freeze-dried [g-hADM-FD]), DermaMatrix™ (hADM, freeze-dried [hADM-FD]), and FlexHD™ (ethanol-treated hADM [EtOH-hADM]) were each implanted in an abdominal wall-bridging defect in nonhuman primates ( = 3 animals/time point, = 36 animals). Immunohistochemical and histological assessments were conducted on biopsies from each hADM at 1-, 3-, and 6-months postimplantation to assess vascularization (hematoxylin and eosin [H&E], CD31, alpha smooth muscle actin [αSMA], collagen IV), inflammatory/immune response (H&E, CD3, CD20, CD68), and collagen turnover (H&E, matrix metalloproteinase-9 [MMP-9]).