Collagen- and glycosaminoglycan-enriched polymeric scaffolds incorporating perinatal-derived biomaterials for tissue...

This review comprehensively examines the integration of polymeric biomaterials with perinatal-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) components, focusing on their potential for tissue regeneration and clinical applications. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive synthesis and critical evaluation of current advancements, existing challenges, and future research directions in the development of biopolymer-perinatal ECM composites for regenerative medicine. The review highlights the unique properties of perinatal tissues, such as the placenta, amniotic membrane, and umbilical cord, which are rich in bioactive molecules like collagen, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), and growth factors. These properties enable the creation of composite scaffolds that mimic the natural ECM, promoting cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation for tissue repair and regeneration. The paper discusses the various applications of these composites in the regeneration of skin, bone, cartilage, and vascular tissues, emphasizing the role of polymeric materials in enhancing the mechanical stability, degradation control, and customization of scaffolds. Moreover, the review addresses key challenges that must be overcome for successful clinical translation, including scalability of fabrication techniques, donor eligibility and consent, batch-to-batch variability of perinatal tissues, and regulatory concerns such as the effects of sterilization on ECM integrity. Additionally, this review compares the performance of collagen/GAG-enriched hybrid scaffolds with traditional grafts and decellularized matrices, underscoring their superior regenerative capabilities. The integration of these hybrid scaffolds in clinical trials and their potential to overcome current limitations in personalized medicine are also discussed, providing a roadmap for future research and development in the field of tissue engineering.