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Challenges and opportunities for tissue-engineering polarized epithelium
Ana C Paz1, John Soleas, James C H Poon
11 Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto , Toronto, ON, Canada .
Tissue Engineering. Part B, Reviews
|June 25, 2013
Summary
This review explores epithelial tissue organization and cell polarization, crucial for engineered functional epithelium. It discusses in vitro models and strategies for creating artificial polarized epithelium for clinical applications and disease modeling.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cell Biology
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Epithelial tissue organization is vital for organ function.
- Disrupted epithelial organization causes disease, necessitating in vitro models.
- Limited research exists on engineering artificial polarized epithelium.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review epithelial tissue organization and cell polarization.
- To discuss in vitro models for creating polarized epithelium.
- To summarize efforts in engineering artificial epithelium for clinical use.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of epithelial organization and polarization.
- Analysis of in vitro models for epithelium engineering.
- Summary of tissue engineering strategies for artificial epithelium.
Main Results:
- Cell polarization is key to functional epithelium.
- Various in vitro models exist for studying epithelium.
- Opportunities exist to apply tissue engineering principles to epithelium.
Conclusions:
- Engineering functional, polarized epithelium is critical for regenerative medicine.
- Artificial epithelium can serve as valuable disease models.
- Further research can advance artificial epithelium development for clinical use.
