Decellularized adipose tissue

1. A method for decellularizing adipose tissue, comprising: subjecting the adipose tissue to mechanical disruption including one or more freeze-thaw cycles, one or more incubations in an enzymatic digestion solution containing one or more enzymes, one or more polar solvent extractions, and one or more rinses in a rinsing buffer;

wherein decellularized adipose tissue comprising an extracellular matrix with well-preserved three-dimensional structure is obtained, the extracellular matrix including fibrous collagen and network-type collagen.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising one or more non-polar solvent extractions.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least a second step involving mechanical disruption.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising perfusing the enzymatic digestion solution containing one or more enzymes and/or the one or more polar solvents into the adipose tissue.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising perfusing the adipose tissue by cannulating an artery and/or a vein.

6. The method of claim 1 , comprising two or more rinses in a rinsing buffer.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein subjecting the adipose tissue to mechanical disruption further includes agitation.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more freeze-thaw cycles are carried out in a hypotonic solution.

9. The method of claim 1 , comprising

(i) subjecting the adipose tissue to one or more freeze-thaw cycles in a freezing buffer;

(ii) subjecting the adipose tissue to enzymatic digestion;

(iii) subjecting the adipose tissue to one or more polar solvent extractions;

(iv) washing the adipose tissue in rinsing buffer;

(v) subjecting the adipose tissue to enzymatic digestion;

(vi) washing the adipose tissue in rinsing buffer;

(vii) subjecting the adipose tissue to enzymatic digestion;

(viii) washing the adipose tissue in rinsing buffer;

(ix) subjecting the adipose tissue to polar solvent extraction; and

(x) washing the adipose tissue in rinsing buffer.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the decellularized adipose tissue is substantially devoid of intact adipose cells.

11. The method of claim 1 , comprising substantially removing immunogenic components of the adipose tissue.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising solubilizing the decellularized adipose tissue.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extracellular matrix includes type IV collagen.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extracellular matrix includes one or more of collagens type I to III, V, and VI.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extracellular matrix includes laminin, fibronectin, or both.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extracellular matrix includes one or more proteoglycan, glycoprotein, or glycosaminoglycan, or any combination thereof.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extracellular matrix includes one or more growth factor.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extracellular matrix includes elastic fibres and/or elastin.

19. The method for decellularizing adipose tissue of claim 1 , further comprising using the decellularized adipose tissue as a cell culture substrate.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the cell culture is for cell expansion and/or cell differentiation and/or for the production of bioproducts, including tissue and one or more proteins.

21. The method for decellularizing adipose tissue of claim 1 , further comprising using the decellularized adipose tissue as a bioscaffold.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the bioscaffold is for use in a surgical procedure.

23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the surgical procedure is general surgery, reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery, cardiac surgery, orthopaedic surgery, neurosurgery, or urological or gynaecological surgery.

24. The method of claim 21 , wherein the bioscaffold is used for wound healing applications.

25. The method of claim 21 , wherein the bioscaffold is used as a hemostatic agent.

26. The method of claim 21 , wherein the bioscaffold includes one or more additional materials.

27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the one or more additional materials are selected from other decellularized matrices, naturally-derived materials, synthetic materials, a pharmaceutical composition, a hormone, a growth factor, and any combination thereof.

28. The method of claim 21 , wherein the bioscaffold is autologous or allogenic.

29. The method of claim 21 , wherein the bioscaffold is xenogenic.

30. The method for decellularizing adipose tissue of claim 1 , further comprising using the decellularized adipose tissue as a coating material.

31. The method for decellularizing adipose tissue of claim 1 , further comprising using the decellularized adipose tissue in a microcarrier bead.

32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the microcarrier bead is used as a cell and/or drug and/or growth factor delivery vehicle.

33. The method of claim 31 , wherein the microcarrier bead is used as a small volume-bulking agent in cosmetic or reconstructive surgery.

34. The method of claim 31 , wherein the microcarrier bead is used in fabrication of a composite bioscaffold with decellularized adipose tissue.

35. The method for decellularizing adipose tissue of claim 1 , further comprising using the decellularized adipose tissue as a particle.