Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
specific interaction between galactose moieties in the artificial
ECMs and ASGPR on the hepatocytes. Also, we explain the meth-
ods to design biomimetic scaffolds on the surface or the bulk of
materials for liver tissue engineering. Furthermore, the criteria to
design biomimetic scaffolds such as topology of the scaffolds, the
coculture system, and the cell source are covered.
21.1 Introduction
Designs of biomimetic materials are very important for control-
ling cell-biomaterial interactions because biomimetic materials are
materialsthatmimicabiologicalenvironmenttoelicitadesiredcel-
lular response, facilitating the fulfillment of their task.
1
The main
taskofthebiomimeticmaterialisnotonlytocontrolspecificinterac-
tion with a cell or tissue but also to provide a scaffold structure for
tissue formation.
2
Specific ligands were incorporated into the bio-
mimeticmaterialsforenhancingcelladhesion
3
orforimpactingcell
proliferation ordifferentiation.
4
,
5
Tissue engineering is an emerging interdisciplinary field in
life sciences and aims to regenerate new biological tissue for
replacingdiseasedtissuesbyusingcells.
6
Tissueengineeringgener-
allyrequiresathree-dimensional(3D)biomimeticscaffoldfortissue
regeneration because cell proliferation and differentiation, result-
ing in tissue regeneration, would be di
cult if such a biomimetic
scaffold that functions as a cell matrix is not provided.
7
An artifi-
cialECMdesignedfortissueengineeringmimicsthefunctionsofthe
ECMmolecules naturally found in tissues.
8
The artificial ECM should be considered including biomimetic
scaffolds that serve as a temporary mechanical support su
cient
to withstand
in vivo
forces and maintain a potential space for tissue
development.
9
Thetissue-specificfunctionofseededcellsinthearti-
ficial ECM is strongly dependent on the specific cell surface recep-
tors used by the cells to interact with the ECM, on interactions with
surroundingcells,andonthepresenceofinductivegrowthfactors.
10
Theliverplaysanimportantroleinmanyphysiologicalfunctions
such as metabolism, storage, synthesis, and release of vitamins, car-
bohydrates,proteins,lipids,andcyclictetrapyrroles.
11
Also,theliver
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