Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
the present analysis is polysaccharides-based polymer scaffold which is
expected to encourage cellular growth and act as vehicles for cell delivery.
Furthermore, the addition of growth factors with biomimetic polymer
scaffolds will be discussed with respect to their effects on cellular behavior
and cartilage tissue formation.
1.2
Strategies for Cartilage Tissue Engineering
There are several tissue engineering approaches for cartilage regeneration
which are summarized in Figure 1.1. The cells explanted from an indi-
vidual donor (Figure 1.1, A-1), may be cultivated
in vitro
to differentiate
(A-2,3), and may be mixed with the hydrogel components prior to be rein-
fusion, preferentially in the same individual by injection (A-4). Cells can be
encapsulated or seeded onto the hydrogel/scaffold (A-5) and implanted
in the body to act as an artifi cial organ (A-6), or encapsulated and assem-
bled in a bioreactor to serve as an external artifi cial organ (A-7,8). The
growth factors can also be added in all types of
in vitro
cultivations prior
to reinfusion of exposed cells in the body. The use of such growth factors
in
in vitro
cell culture that are growing onto a scaffold requires a certain
A-2
A-3
A-1
Cells explanted
In vitro cell culture
A-4
In situ polymerization
A-5
Cells seeded
scaffold
A-7
A-8
Over time
In vitro culture in
bioreactor
Scaffold degradation and
Cartilage formation
Figure 1.1
Scheme representing cartilage tissue engineering approaches showing
injectable hydrogel systems to
in vitro
cell culture onto scaffold prior to implantation.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search