Tissue Engineering Scaffolds: History, Types and ...

120 downloads 0 Views 10KB Size Report
Abstract. Tissue engineering is a rapidly growing research field, potentially capable of de novo tissue and organ construction. To improve efficiency in the tissue ...
Review Article

Tissue Engineering Scaffolds: History, Types and Construction Methods

Hashemi Z.S., M.Sc., Soleimani M., Ph.D.* *P.O.Box:14115-111, Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract Tissue engineering is a rapidly growing research field, potentially capable of de novo tissue and organ construction. To improve efficiency in the tissue and cell culture using this approach, it is required to provide bodies in vivo three-dimensional conditions outside of the body (ex vivo). To achieve this goal, desired tissue cells are cultured on the tissue engineering scaffolds. These are structures, based on extracellular matrix materials which different treatments are performed on them. Initially they were only used to deliver drugs and hormones, but further investigations revealed their ability to preserve, protect and even transfer cells into the body. Now widespread employment of scaffolds for organ transplantation is in rapid progress furthermore materials and structures similar to the target tissues are used, to improve the organ transplantation. Applying scaffolds for cell reproduction is an ongoing research, aimed to increase the efficiency of threedimensional culture. This goal necessitates the simulation of bodies internal environment which is provide by simultaneous culture of target cells with stromal cells. Present review is a comprehensive study of available information in connection with significant aspects of scaffolding. It primarily includes their history, materials and types, scaffolding construction methods and their applications in medicine and tissue engineering. Keywords: Scaffold, Tissue engineering, Three-dimensional culture

Journal of Iranian Anatomical Sciences, Vol 9, No 35, Summer 2011, Pages: 145-168