Tissue-Engineered Grafts from Human Decellularized Extracellular Matrices: A Systematic Review and Future...

Area of Science:

• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
• Biomaterials Science
• Immunology

Background:

• Tissue engineering utilizes artificial and biologic materials in composite scaffolds for cell repopulation.
• Decellularized allogeneic extracellular matrix (ECM) repopulated with autologous or stem cells offers personalized clinical approaches.
• Effective decellularization removes immunogenic cells while preserving the ECM's architecture and bioactive factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature on developing grafts from decellularized human tissues and organs for tissue engineering.
• To explore the potential of human tissue biobanks from body donation programs for graft development.
• To identify current advancements and future challenges in creating functional human grafts.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing scientific literature on decellularization and recellularization techniques for human tissues/organs.
• Analysis of various decellularized human tissues/organs reported for tissue engineering applications.
• Examination of reported in vitro recellularization methods and cell types used.

Main Results:

• Numerous human tissues and organs (e.g., cartilage, bone, heart, kidney) have been successfully decellularized.
• Various in vitro recellularization strategies including seeding, injection, and perfusion have been reported.
• Studies focusing on in vivo behavior and functional restoration of these engineered grafts are limited.

Conclusions:

• Decellularized human ECM holds significant potential for creating personalized regenerative medicine therapies.
• The development of human tissue biobanks is crucial for sourcing materials for graft engineering.
• The primary future challenge lies in achieving full structural and functional restoration of human grafts for clinical implantation.