Extracellular-Matrix-Based Materials from Decellularized Tissue: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Directions in...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Extracellular matrix (ECM) biomaterials serve as inductive scaffolds for tissue regeneration.
• Decellularized ECM (dECM) biomaterials retain native ECM bioactivity, guiding cellular processes.
• Clinical success of dECM is noted in soft tissue repair, cardiac reconstruction, and urological interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical use of current dECM biomaterials.
• To discuss advances in dECM biomaterial fabrication.
• To identify hurdles in the clinical translation of dECM products.

Main Methods:

• Review of current clinical applications of dECM sheets and powders.
• Analysis of recent fabrication advances, including electrospinning and 3D printing.
• Discussion of challenges in decellularization standardization, bioactivity optimization, and mechanical compatibility.

Main Results:

• Current clinical use of dECM is primarily limited to native sheets or powders.
• Advanced fabrication methods like electrospinning and 3D printing expand dECM applications.
• Significant challenges persist in standardizing decellularization, retaining bioactivity, and ensuring mechanical compatibility.

Conclusions:

• dECM biomaterials offer significant potential for tissue regeneration.
• Fabrication advancements are broadening the clinical utility of dECM.
• Standardization of processes and overcoming translational hurdles are crucial for future dECM development.