Extracellular matrix (ECM) is a rich network of proteins and proteoglycans that has proved to be very useful in tissue regeneration. Porcine ECM has been proposed as a biological scaffold, and urinary bladder matrix (UBM) has demonstrated superior biological properties; however, its use in human treatment requires ensuring that it is DNA free. Several protocols have been used for decellularization and to demonstrate the absence of DNA, but until now, a porcine housekeeping gene for quantifying DNA by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) has been limiting. The aim of this study was to propose a protocol to quantify the DNA content of decellularized UBM by qPCR for the beta-actin gene (ACTB). A total of 20 porcine bladders were used, and each bladder was divided into three pieces: one as a control and the others decellularized with either SDS or Triton X-100 detergent. The presence of DNA was assessed by histology, spectrophotometry, conventional PCR, and qPCR for the ACTB. Histological analysis demonstrated the absence of nuclei using both protocols. Spectrophotometrical evaluation resulted in DNA concentrations of 1561.4 ± 357.1 and 1211.9 ± 635.2 ng of DNA/mg dry weight after the SDS and Triton X-100 protocols, respectively. DNA was not detected in any protocol by conventional PCR. In contrast, using qPCR, we found 3.9 ± 2.8 ng of DNA/mg dry weight in the Triton X-100 protocol. Therefore, the use of qPCR is a reliable method to quantify residual DNA content after decellularization procedures.
