Innervation: the missing link for biofabricated tissues and organs.

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Innervation is vital for tissue development and function.
• Current biofabrication often overlooks innervation, hindering engineered organ integration.
• Achieving functional engineered organs requires precise control over nerve guidance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the overlooked role of innervation in biofabrication.
• To review neuroanatomy and innervation's function in muscle tissues.
• To present strategies for promoting innervation in engineered muscles using "living scaffolds".

Main Methods:

• Review of neuroanatomy and innervation's role in cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle.
• Development of axon-based "living scaffolds" for nerve guidance.
• Exploration of in vitro and in vivo applications for engineered tissue innervation.

Main Results:

• Innervation is essential for the development, function, and modulation of tissues and organs.
• Axon-based "living scaffolds" can guide host axon growth for targeted integration.
• Strategies for promoting innervation are crucial for successful biofabrication.

Conclusions:

• Innervation must be a core component of tissue and organ biofabrication.
• "Living scaffolds" offer a promising approach for orchestrating host axonal integration.
• Addressing innervation ensures better function, tolerance, and assimilation of engineered tissues.