Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate: Application in Kidney Decellularization and Degradation by Nitrate-Reducing Bacteria

General Description

Sodium lauryl ether sulfate shows superior efficacy in kidney decellularization compared to SDS, preserving ECM architecture crucial for tissue scaffolds. It supports cell growth, angiogenesis, and biocompatibility for potential regenerative medicine applications. In biodegradation, nitrate-reducing bacteria like Pseudomonas efficiently degrade sodium lauryl ether sulfate in anoxic conditions, offering a promising solution for wastewater treatment. The breakdown process alters chemical composition, showcasing environmental implications. Research highlights its versatile applications in organ decellularization and wastewater management, emphasizing its significant role in advancing both medical and environmental fields.

Figure 1. Sodium lauryl ether sulfate

Application in Kidney Decellularization

Comparative Study

In a study comparing sodium lauryl ether sulfate and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) for kidney decellularization, an automated device was used to perfuse male rat kidneys. The kidneys were treated with 1% SDS solution for 4 hours or 1% sodium lauryl ether sulfate solution for 6 hours. Various staining techniques, including hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid Schiff, Masson's trichrome, and Alcian blue, were employed to assess cell removal and the preservation of glycogen, collagen, and glycosaminoglycans.

Effectiveness in Decellularization

Scanning electron microscopy confirmed complete cell removal in both SDS and sodium lauryl ether sulfate groups. DNA quantification assays also indicated minimal residual DNA, confirming the efficacy of both detergents in decellularizing the kidney tissue. However, the sodium lauryl ether sulfate-treated kidneys exhibited significantly better preservation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) architecture compared to those treated with SDS. This preservation is critical for maintaining the structural integrity of the kidney scaffold post-decellularization.

Biocompatibility and Angiogenesis

To evaluate biocompatibility, human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (hUC-MSCs) were seeded onto the decellularized scaffolds. Both SDS and sodium lauryl ether sulfate-treated scaffolds supported successful migration and growth of hUC-MSCs, indicating their potential for cellular repopulation. Furthermore, in vivo allotransplantation into rat back muscles showed comparable angiogenesis in both SDS and sodium lauryl ether sulfate decellularized kidneys, suggesting that sodium lauryl ether sulfate does not compromise vascularization processes crucial for tissue regeneration.

Sodium lauryl ether sulfate emerges as a promising alternative to SDS in kidney decellularization procedures due to its superior preservation of ECM architecture. This study underscores the importance of detergent selection in tissue engineering applications, particularly in maintaining tissue-specific microstructures essential for functional tissue scaffolds. Further research could explore the broader applicability of sodium lauryl ether sulfate in other organ decellularization contexts and its implications for advancing regenerative medicine strategies. ¹

Degradation by Nitrate-Reducing Bacteria

Degradation in Anoxic Conditions

Sodium lauryl ether sulfate is a surfactant extensively utilized in detergent production and is a common constituent found in wastewater treatment plants. The degradation of sodium lauryl ether sulfate in aerobic conditions is well-documented; however, its breakdown in anoxic environments, such as denitrification tanks in wastewater treatment facilities, is less understood. This gap in knowledge extends to the specific types of bacteria that are capable of degrading sodium lauryl ether sulfate under oxygen-free conditions. Recent studies have begun to address this by using sodium lauryl ether sulfate as the sole source of carbon and energy to cultivate and identify nitrate-reducing bacteria from wastewater sludge, highlighting a significant advancement in understanding sodium lauryl ether sulfate biodegradation pathways.

Bacterial Strains Involved in Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate Degradation

The investigation into sodium lauryl ether sulfate degradation identified several nitrate-reducing bacteria strains capable of utilizing this surfactant under anoxic conditions. Notable among these were strains of Pseudomonas and Aeromonas, which were isolated from cultures enriched with varying concentrations of sodium lauryl ether sulfate, ranging from 50 mg L-1 to 1000 mg L-1. Strains such as Pseudomonas stutzeri and Pseudomonas nitroreducens demonstrated rapid degradation capabilities, particularly notable in conditions mimicking those found in denitrification tanks of wastewater treatment plants. These bacteria not only degraded sodium lauryl ether sulfate efficiently but also showcased remarkable resistance to high concentrations, indicating their potential utility in industrial-scale applications.

Comparative Analysis of Degradation Dynamics

Further comparative studies on the degradation dynamics of sodium lauryl ether sulfate by nitrate-reducing bacteria under anoxic and oxic conditions revealed significant differences in the degradation processes and by-products. Pseudomonas nitroreducens, for instance, exhibited different degradation pathways in the absence of oxygen compared to aerobic conditions. The anoxic degradation of sodium lauryl ether sulfate likely involves both ester and ether cleavage, leading to the accumulation of different sulfate concentrations. These findings suggest that the anoxic breakdown of sodium lauryl ether sulfate not only helps in reducing the pollutant load in wastewater but also alters the chemical composition of the resulting effluent, which could have important implications for environmental management and policy regarding wastewater treatment. ²

Reference

1. Keshvari MA, Afshar A, Daneshi S, et al. Decellularization of kidney tissue: comparison of sodium lauryl ether sulfate and sodium dodecyl sulfate for allotransplantation in rat. Cell Tissue Res. 2021; 386(2): 365-378.

2. Paulo AMS, Aydin R, Dimitrov MR, et al. Sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) degradation by nitrate-reducing bacteria. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2017; 101(12): 5163-5173.

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