PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Tissue Engineering”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 667 records · Page 37Linked to original sources

Frontiers in tissue engineering. In vitro modulation of chondrogenesis.

Cartilage tissue engineering can provide functional cartilaginous constructs that can be used for controlled in vitro studies of chondrogenesis and potentially for in vivo articular cartilage repair. Ideally, engineered cartilage should be indistinguishable from native articular cartilage with respect to zonal organization, biochemical composition, and mechanical properties. In the model system presented here, chondrogenic cells are expanded in vitro as required, seeded onto three-dimensional polymeric scaffolds, and cultured in bioreactor vessels. During the course of in vitro cultivation, construct cellularity plateaus at a physiologic level, fractions of glycosaminoglycan and Type II collagen increase progressively, and the scaffold biodegrades. Construct structure (composition, morphology) and function (biosynthetic activity, mechanical properties) depend on cultivation conditions. This paper reviews recent studies of in vitro modulation of chondrogenesis by: (1) cell seeding density and source; (2) the tissue regeneration template; (3) biochemical regulatory signals; (4) mixing, mass transport and hydrodynamic forces; and (5) cultivation time. Key requirements and some of the critical research needs for successful cartilage tissue engineering are discussed.

Animals↗

Tissue engineering of bone. Cell based strategies.

Skeletal tissue regeneration requires the interaction of three basic biologic elements: cells, growth and differentiation factors, and extracellular matrix scaffolds. Therapeutic approaches for tissue engineered repair of bone defects have attempted to mimic the natural process of bone repair by delivering a source of cells capable of differentiating into osteoblasts, inductive growth and differentiation factors, or bioresorbable scaffolding matrices to support cellular attachment, migration, and proliferation. Sophisticated designs even have tried to combine two or more of these elements. The development of cell based approaches has advanced dramatically in recent years as an understanding of musculoskeletal cell biology improves. Cell based approaches do not depend on the presence of local osteoprogenitors for the synthesis of new bone and, as a result, they particularly are attractive for patients who have a diminished pool of these progenitors, or in whom the host tissue bed has been compromised. This review highlights the development of cell based approaches for the tissue engineering of bone, and offers perspectives on the optimal elements for success. Although logistical and regulatory issues remain to be solved, cell based therapies for the repair of clinically significant bone defects rapidly are approaching clinical feasibility.

Animals↗

Adhesion of tissue-engineered cartilate to native cartilage.

Reconstruction of cartilaginous defects to correct both craniofacial deformities and joint surface irregularities remains a challenging and controversial clinical problem. It has been shown that tissue-engineered cartilage can be produced in a nude mouse model. Before tissue-engineered cartilage is used clinically to fill in joint defects or to reconstruct auricular or nasal cartilaginous defects, it is important to determine whether it will integrate with or adhere to the adjacent native cartilage at the recipient site. The purpose of this study was to determine whether tissue-engineered cartilage would adhere to adjacent cartilage in vivo. Tissue-engineered cartilage was produced using a fibrin glue polymer (80 mg/cc purified porcine fibrinogen polymerized with 50 U/cc bovine thrombin) mixed with fresh swine articular chondrocytes. The polymer/chondrocyte mixture was sandwiched between two 6-mm-diameter discs of fresh articular cartilage. These constructs were surgically inserted into a subcutaneous pocket on the backs of nude mice (n = 15). The constructs were harvested 6 weeks later and assessed histologically, biomechanically, and by electron microscopy. Control samples consisted of cartilage discs held together by fibrin glue alone (no chondrocytes) (n = 10). Histologic evaluation of the experimental constructs revealed a layer of neocartilage between the two native cartilage discs. The neocartilage appeared to fill all irregularities along the surface of the cartilage discs. Safranin-O and toluidine blue staining indicated the presence of glycosaminoglycans and collagen, respectively. Control samples showed no evidence of neocartilage formation. Electron microscopy of the neocartilage revealed the formation of collagen fibers similar in appearance to the normal cartilage matrix in the adjacent native cartilage discs. The interface between the neocartilage and the native cartilage demonstrated neocartilage matrix directly adjacent to the normal cartilage matrix without any gaps or intervening capsule. The mechanical properties of the experimental constructs, as calculated from stress-strain curves, differed significantly from those of the control samples. The mean modulus for the experimental group was 0.74 +/- 0.22 MPa, which was 3.5 times greater than that of the control group (p < 0.0002). The mean tensile strength of the experimental group was 0.064 +/- 0.024 MPa, which was 62.6 times greater than that of the control group (p < 0.0002). The mean failure strain of the experimental group was 0.16 +/- 0.061 percent, which was 4.3 times greater than that of the control group (p < 0.0002). Finally, the mean fracture energy of the experimental group was 0.00049 +/- 0.00032 J, which was 15.6 times greater than that of the control group. Failure occurred in all cases at the interface between neocartilage and native cartilage. This study demonstrated that tissue-engineered cartilage produced using a fibrin-based polymer does adhere to adjacent native cartilage and can be used to join two separate pieces of cartilage in the nude mouse model. Cartilage pieces joined in this way can withstand forces significantly greater than those tolerated by cartilage samplesjoined only by fibrin glue.

Animals↗

Application of tissue-engineering principles toward the development of a semilunar heart valve substitute.

Heart valve disease is a significant medical problem worldwide. Current treatment for heart valve disease is heart valve replacement. State of the art replacement heart valves are less than ideal and are associated with significant complications. Using the basic principles of tissue engineering, promising alternatives to current replacement heart valves are being developed. Significant progress has been made in the development of a tissue-engineered semilunar heart valve substitute. Advancements include the development of different potential cell sources and cell-seeding techniques; advancements in matrix and scaffold development and in polymer chemistry fabrication; and the development of a variety of bioreactors, which are biomimetic devices used to modulate the development of tissue-engineered neotissue in vitro through the application of biochemical and biomechanical stimuli. This review addresses the need for a tissue-engineered alternative to the current heart valve replacement options. The basics of heart valve structure and function, heart valve disease, and currently available heart valve replacements are discussed. The last 10 years of investigation into a tissue-engineered heart valve as well as current developments are reviewed. Finally, the early clinical applications of cardiovascular tissue engineering are presented.

Animals↗

Tissue-engineered human skin substitutes developed from collagen-populated hydrated gels: clinical and fundamental applications.

The field of tissue engineering has opened several avenues in biomedical sciences, through ongoing progress. Skin substitutes are currently optimised for clinical as well as fundamental applications. The paper reviews the development of collagen-populated hydrated gels for their eventual use as a therapeutic option for the treatment of burn patients or chronic wounds: tools for pharmacological and toxicological studies, and cutaneous models for in vitro studies. These skin substitutes are produced by culturing keratinocytes on a matured dermal equivalent composed of fibroblasts included in a collagen gel. New biotechnological approaches have been developed to prevent contraction (anchoring devices) and promote epithelial cell differentiation. The impact of dermo-epidermal interactions on the differentiation and organisation of bio-engineered skin tissues has been demonstrated with human skin cells. Human skin substitutes have been adapted for percutaneous absorption studies and toxicity assessment. The evolution of these human skin substitutes has been monitored in vivo in preclinical studies showing promising results. These substitutes could also serve as in vitro models for better understanding of the immunological response and healing mechanism in human skin. Thus, such human skin substitutes present various advantages and are leading to the development of other bio-engineered tissues, such as blood vessels, ligaments and bronchi.

Cell Culture Techniques↗

Mechano-active tissue engineering of vascular smooth muscle using pulsatile perfusion bioreactors and elastic PLCL scaffolds.

Blood vessels are subjected in vivo to mechanical forces in a form of radial distention, encompassing cyclic mechanical strain due to the pulsatile nature of blood flow. Vascular smooth muscle (VSM) tissues engineered in vitro with a conventional tissue engineering technique may not be functional, because vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) cultured in vitro typically revert from a contractile phenotype to a synthetic phenotype. In this study, we hypothesized that pulsatile strain and shear stress stimulate VSM tissue development and induce VSMCs to retain the differentiated phenotype in VSM engineering in vitro. To test the hypothesis, rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were seeded onto rubber-like elastic, three-dimensional PLCL [poly(lactide-co-caprolactone), 50:50] scaffolds and subjected to pulsatile strain and shear stress by culturing them in pulsatile perfusion bioreactors for up to 8 weeks. As control experiments, VSMCs were cultured on PLCL scaffolds statically. The pulsatile strain and shear stress enhanced the VSMCs proliferation and collagen production. In addition, a significant cell alignment in a direction radial to the distending direction was observed in VSM tissues exposed to radial distention, which is similar to that of native VSM tissues in vivo, whereas VSMs in VSM tissues engineered in the static condition randomly aligned. Importantly, the expression of SM alpha-actin, a differentiated phenotype of SMCs, was upregulated by 2.5-fold in VSM tissues engineered under the mechano-active condition, compared to VSM tissues engineered in the static condition. This study demonstrates that tissue engineering of VSM tissues in vitro by using pulsatile perfusion bioreactors and elastic PLCL scaffolds leads to the enhancement of tissue development and the retention of differentiated cell phenotype.

Animals↗

Tissue-engineered large intestine resembles native colon with appropriate in vitro physiology and architecture.

OBJECTIVE: Novel production and in vitro characterization of tissue engineered colon. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The colon provides important functions of short chain fatty acid production, sodium and water absorption, and storage. We report the first instance of tissue-engineered colon (TEC) production from autologous cells and its in vitro characterization. METHODS: Organoid units, mesenchymal cell cores surrounded by a polarized epithelia derived from full thickness sigmoid colon dissection from neonatal Lewis rats, adult rats, and tissue engineered colon itself, were implanted on a polymer scaffold into the omentum of syngeneic hosts. TEC was either anastomosed at 4 weeks or excised for Ussing chamber studies or histology, immunohistochemistry, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-digoxigenin nick end labeling assay. RESULTS: TEC was generated by 100% of all animals without regard to tissue source, the first instance of engineered intestine from adult cells or an engineered tissue. TEC architecture is identical to native with muscularis propria staining for actin, acetylcholinesterase detected in a linear distribution in the lamina propria, S100-positive cells, ganglion cells, and a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-digoxigenin nick end labeling assay similar to native colon. Ussing chamber data indicated in vitro function consistent with mature colonocytes, and a positive short circuit current response to theophylline indicating intact ion transfer. TEM showed normal microarchitecture. Colon architecture was maintained in anastomosis with gross visualization of fluid uptake. CONCLUSIONS: TEC can be successfully produced with fidelity to native architecture and in vitro function from neonatal syngeneic tissue, adult tissue, and TEC itself.

Animals↗

Tissue engineering applications in the genitourinary tract system.

The concept of cell transplantation using tissue engineering techniques has provided numerous possibilities in the area of urologic tissue reconstruction. Tissue engineering applications in the genitourinary tract system have been investigated in almost every tissue in order to improve, restore and replace existing tissue function. Although most reconstructive efforts still remain in the experimental stage, several technologies have been transferred to the bedside with satisfactory outcome. In this article, we describe tissue engineering approaches attempted in the genitourinary system for reconstruction.

Animals↗

Osteogenic protein-1 promotes the formation of tissue-engineered cartilage using the alginate-recovered-chondrocyte method.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effects of a growth factor, recombinant human osteogenic protein-1 (rhOP-1), on the formation of tissue-engineered cartilaginous tissue by adult bovine articular chondrocytes using the alginate-recovered-chondrocyte (ARC) method. DESIGN: To ascertain if rhOP-1 enhances the formation of the cell-associated matrix (CM) and the characteristics of CM formation, bovine articular chondrocytes were first cultured for up to 14 days in alginate beads in medium supplemented with serum, with or without rhOP-1. Then, the recovered chondrocytes and their associated CM were resuspended in medium, with or without OP-1, seeded onto culture inserts, and incubated for an additional 14 days. The fabricated ARC tissues were subjected to biochemical and histological analyses. RESULTS: The addition of rhOP-1 to the medium in the alginate bead culture step resulted in an increased accumulation of both proteoglycan (PG) and collagen, with a ratio of PG to collagen that was higher than that found in native adult cartilage. The addition of rhOP-1 in the second step had a similar stimulatory effect during 14 days of culture. Histological examination of the tissue formed under all conditions revealed a cartilage-like matrix, stained strongly by toluidine blue. The thickness of the tissues obtained from culture conditions that included the addition of rhOP-1 was four times greater than that of the tissues cultured without rhOP-1. CONCLUSIONS: Using the ARC method, rhOP-1 enhanced the formation of matrix and generated a voluminous tissue-engineered cartilaginous construct. These characteristics may be beneficial in generating constructs that can cover large defects.

Alginates↗

Preliminary experience with tissue engineering of a venous vascular patch by using bone marrow-derived cells and a hybrid biodegradable polymer scaffold.

OBJECTIVE: Currently available synthetic polymer vascular patches used in cardiovascular surgery have shown serious shortcomings, including thrombosis, calcification, infection, and lack of growth potential. These problems may be avoided by vascular patches tissue-engineered with autologous stem cells and biodegradable polymeric materials. The objective of this study was to develop a tissue-engineered vascular patch by using autologous bone marrow-derived cells (BMCs) and a hybrid biodegradable polymer scaffold. METHODS: Hybrid biodegradable polymer scaffolds were fabricated from poly(lactide-co-epsilon-caprolactone) (PLCL) copolymer reinforced with poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) fibers. Canine bone marrow mononuclear cells were induced in vitro to differentiate into vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. Tissue-engineered vascular patches (15 mm wide x 30 mm long) were fabricated by seeding vascular cells onto PGA/PLCL scaffolds and implanted into the inferior vena cava of bone marrow donor dogs. RESULTS: Compared with PLCL scaffolds, PGA/PLCL scaffolds exhibited tensile mechanical properties more similar to those of dog inferior vena cava. Eight weeks after implantation of vascular patches tissue-engineered with BMCs and PGA/PLCL scaffolds, the vascular patches remained patent with no sign of thrombosis, stenosis, or dilatation. Histological, immunohistochemical, and scanning electron microscopic analyses of the retrieved vascular patches revealed regeneration of endothelium and smooth muscle, as well as the presence of collagen. Calcium deposition on tissue-engineered vascular patches was not significantly different from that on native blood vessels. Immunofluorescent double staining confirmed that implanted BMCs survived after implantation and contributed to regeneration of endothelium and vascular smooth muscle in the implanted vascular patches. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that vascular patches can be tissue-engineered with autologous BMCs and hybrid biodegradable polymer scaffolds.

Absorbable Implants↗

Individualised, micro CT-based finite element modelling as a tool for biomechanical analysis related to tissue engineering of bone.

Load-bearing tissues, like bone, can be replaced by engineered tissues or tissue constructs. For the success of this treatment, a profound understanding is needed of the mechanical properties of both the native bone tissue and the construct. Also, the interaction between mechanical loading and bone regeneration and adaptation should be well understood. This paper demonstrates that microfocus computer tomography (microCT) based finite element modelling (FEM) can have an important contribution to the field of functional bone engineering as a biomechanical analysis tool to quantify the stress and strain state in native bone tissue and in tissue constructs. Its value is illustrated by two cases: (1) in vivo microCT-based FEM for the analysis of peri-implant bone adaptation and (2) design of biomechanically optimised bone scaffolds. The first case involves a combined animal experimental and numerical study, in which the peri-implant bone adaptive response is monitored by means of in vivo microCT scanning. In the second case microCT-based finite element models were created of native trabecular bone and bone scaffolds and a mechanical analysis of both structures was performed. Procedures to optimise the mechanical properties of bone scaffolds, in relation to those of native trabecular bone are discussed.

Animals↗

Normal features of tissue-engineered auricular cartilage by flow cytometry and histology: patient safety.

BACKGROUND: Cytokinetic abnormalities in DNA content, such as aneuploidy, haploidy, and tetraploidy, have been found to occur in human cartilaginous tumors. The high number of chondrocytes needed for tissue-engineered cartilaginous implants requires the cells to be passaged repeatedly. The theoretical risk of changes in the normal diploid state of these cells during their growth in vitro and after generation of tissue-engineered cartilage in vivo is not known. Materials and methods Auricular chondrocytes were obtained from 6 patients and cultured in vitro. Chondrocyte number was increased by repeated passaging. The passaged cells were implanted in nude mice for 8 weeks to generate tissue-engineered cartilage. Fresh control chondrocytes along with the passaged cells and cells obtained from the tissue-engineered constructs were collected and compared for DNA content by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Flow cytometry demonstrated 100% diploidy with no evidence of aneuploidy, haploidy, or tetraploidy in all groups of cells. Histology of the tissue-engineered cartilage also showed no evidence of cellular atypia. CONCLUSION: The number of human auricular chondrocytes can be increased by repeated passaging and passaged chondrocytes can be safely used for implantation to generate tissue-engineered constructs without a change in the normal diploid state of the cells. Histology of the cartilage generated showed normal features without atypia.

Aneuploidy↗

Tissue engineering of the anterior cruciate ligament using a braid-twist scaffold design.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most commonly injured intra-articular ligament of the knee. The insufficient vascularization of this tissue prevents it from healing completely after extreme tearing or rupture, creating a need for ACL grafts for reconstruction. The limitations of existing grafts have motivated the investigation of tissue-engineered ACL grafts. A successful tissue-engineered graft must possess mechanical properties similar to the ACL; to date no commercially available synthetic graft has achieved this. To accomplish this goal we have combined the techniques of polymer fiber braiding and twisting to design a novel poly L-lactic acid (PLLA) braid-twist scaffold for ACL tissue engineering. The scaffold is designed to accurately mimic the biomechanical profile and mechanical properties of the ACL. In this study, braid-twist scaffolds were constructed and compared to braided scaffolds and twisted fiber scaffolds. The addition of fiber twisting to the braided scaffold resulted in a significant increase in the ultimate tensile strength, an increase in ultimate strain, and an increase in the length of the toe region in these constructs over scaffolds that were braided. Based on the findings of this study, the braid-twist scaffold studied was found to be a promising construct for tissue engineering of the ACL.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament↗

Tissue engineering--body parts from the Petri dish.

The development of methods to regenerate human tissues and organs by tissue engineering (TE), will have a dramatic influence on many medical specialities in the future. The essence of plastic surgery is to reconstruct disrupted and damaged tissues by the use of a plethora of techniques spanning from small local skin flaps to highly advanced microsurgery and free composite grafts. However, these methods only focus on moving tissue from one part of the patient to another without actual regeneration. To be able to take the next step in development of the speciality it is of necessity to address this issue. Hence it follows naturally that plastic surgeons lead and represent the driving force of the development within the research of tissue engineering. In this paper we would like to present active research and also give an overview of areas in tissue engineering that are of special interest to the plastic surgeon.

Artificial Organs↗

Applications of tissue engineering in the genitourinary tract.

Congenital abnormalities and acquired disorders can lead to organ damage or loss of tissue within the genitourinary tract. For reconstructive purposes, tissue-engineering efforts are currently underway for virtually every type of tissue and organ within the urinary tract. Tissue engineering incorporates the fields of cell transplantation, materials science and engineering for the purpose of creating functional replacement tissue. This article reviews some of the principles of tissue engineering and some of the applications of these principles to the genitourinary tract.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Tissue engineering: the end of the beginning.

This study was undertaken to assess the impact of current economic conditions and recent disappointing product launches on the field of tissue engineering. Data were collected on all firms known to be active in the field, analyzed, and compared with analogous data collected in 1995, 1998, and 2000. As of December 31, 2002, more than 2600 full-time equivalents (FTEs) in 15 countries and 89 firms were engaged in tissue-engineering research and development. Annual spending was US dollars 487 million, down about 20% since 2000-a reasonable performance in the face of a stagnant economy and difficult capital markets. Individual sectors proved far more volatile. Activity in skin, cartilage, and other structural applications declined by more than 50% with a loss of 800 FTEs. This downsizing was somewhat counterbalanced by a 42% increase in stem cell firms, which added more than 300 employees. Consistent with general disenchantment with technology sector equities, capital value of publicly traded tissue-engineering corporations has decreased by almost 90% from US dollars 2.5 billion at the end of 2000 to US dollars 300 million at the end of 2002. The United States' fraction of the total workforce declined from 80% in 2000 to 54% in 2002. By the close of 2002, twenty tissue-engineered products had entered Food and Drug Administration clinical trials. Four were approved but none of these are yet commercially successful. Six other applications were either abandoned or failed to achieve product approval. Ten products were still in clinical trials, some of which were investigator sponsored, and most of which were at the phase I/phase II stage. The field has yet to produce a profitable product despite an aggregate research and development investment exceeding US dollars 4.5 billion. Tissue engineering is clearly having difficulty transitioning from a development stage industry to one with a successful product portfolio. This is often the case for breakthrough medical technologies.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

[Histologic pattern and mechanical properties of tissue-engineered tendon implants for tendon defects].

This is a study on the histologic pattern and mechanical properties of tissue-engineered tendon implanted for treatment of tendon defects. Tendons were resected from Roman chickens. Tendon cells were isolated from the tendons and cultured in vitro. The 2nd-4th passages of tendon cells were seeded on the degradable polyglycolic acid mesh to form cell-scaffold composites, which were further cultured for 7-10 days to construct tissue-engineered tendons. The tendon defects, 0.5 cm-0.8 cm in length, were made in the second digit flexor tendon bilaterally in 20 Roman chickens and then bridged with the constructed tissue-engineered tendons. At 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and 8 weeks post-operation, the samples of regenerated tendons were collected for gross examination, histologic staining and biomechanical test. After implantation of the tissue-engineered tendons, the wounds healed well. The gross appearance, the cells and collagen fibers arrangement of the regenerated tendons were similar to those of natural tendons, but there were relatively not many closely packed collagen fiber bundles organized in parallel with the tendons ("remodel"), so the maximum tensile force increased slowly and its value was 15.40+/-10.63 N at 8 weeks after surgery, reaching only 23% of that of natural tendon. The maximum strain was 22.49%+/-10.21% at 8 weeks, being 10% higher than that of natural tendons. Polyglycolic acid scaffolds are degraded in vivo so rapidly that the regenerated tendons lose the normal biomechanical stimulus and then are unable to be remodeled. As a result, the mechanical strength of regenerated tendons is much lower than that of natural tendons. These results suggest that the normal biomechanical stimulus may be an important factor for the regenerated tendons to remodel.

Animals↗

Emerging design principles in biomaterials and scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Biomaterials and scaffolds play an essential role in tissue engineering by guiding new tissue growth in vivo and in vitro. While adaptation of existing surgical materials has fulfilled some needs in the field, new applications demand better control of bulk properties such as degradation and of surface properties that control cell interactions. Advances in molecular cell biology are driving the incorporation of new biological moieties into materials, and a set of design principles based on quantitative analysis of key cellular processes involved in regeneration is emerging. At the same time, new materials-processing methodologies are emerging to allow fabrication of these fragile materials into devices appropriate for delivery.

Animals↗