Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
has led to the evolution of highly sophisticated approaches of microvascu-
lar engineering, such as soft photolithographic techniques [201], and the
development of computational simulation models of vascular assembly
and remodeling, such as cellular automata computer models [202].
6.7.3.5
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Because so much effort is required for mimicking nature, development
of methods for reuse of natural structures is an evolving approach. These
naturally occurring scaffolds can be processed so that they retain growth
factors, glycosaminoglycans, and structural elements such as fi bronectin,
elastin, and collagen. These components were proved to be important reg-
ulators of angiogenesis. For example, elastic fi bers of extracellular matrix
scaffolds were shown to act as “microguides” for endothelial cell and peri-
cyte migration during capillary sprouting [203].
A whole-heart scaffold with intact 3D geometry and vasculature was
created by decellularizing cadaveric hearts using detergents for coro-
nary perfusion [204]. Porcine jejunal segments were decellularized in a
similar technique, and seeded with porcine microvascular endothelial
cells [205].
Naturally occurring scaffolds, however, have got their own disadvan-
tages including rapid degradation, potential to harbor infection, and the
immunologic response of the host to such implants. It seems that the ideal
scaffold, which promotes angiogenesis of engineered tissue suffi ciently,
has not yet been determined.
6.8 Conclusion
Being unique in structure and function, as well as in their developmental
origins, dental and craniofacial tissues pose signifi cant challenges to tissue
engineering. Indeed, the fi eld of dental and craniofacial tissue engineer-
ing is now changing from a tissue replacement strategy to one that aims
to mimic the body's own natural developmental pathways to stimulate
endogenous regeneration. Biomimetic strategies are slowly yet steadily
leading the path to a new generation of tissue-engineered constructs that
have gained insight from multidisplinary areas such as developmental
biology, proteomics, genomics, nanotechnology, biomimetic surface modi-
fi cation, stem cell biology, biomaterial science, and many others. Through
the application of biomimetic strategies to regenerate tissue, the hurdles
of the past two decades may be overcome paving the way to a new era
where tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications become
a standard of treatment rather than just translational research.
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