Decellularised scaffolds: just a framework? Current knowledge andfuture directions

摘要

The use of decellularised matrices as scaffolds offers the advantage of greatsimilarity with the tissue to be replaced. Moreover, decellularised tissues andorgans can be repopulated with the patient’s own cells to produce bespoketherapies. Great progress has been made in research and development ofdecellularised scaffolds, and more recently, these materials are being used inexciting new areas like hydrogels and bioinks. However, much effort is stillneeded towards preserving the original extracellular matrix composition,especially its minor components, assessing its functionality and scaling up forlarge tissues and organs. Emphasis should also be placed on developing newdecellularisation methods and establishing minimal criteria for assessing thesuccess of the decellularisation process. The aim of this review is tocritically review the existing literature on decellularised scaffolds,especially on the preparation of these matrices, and point out areas forimprovement, finishing with alternative uses of decellularised scaffolds otherthan tissue and organ reconstruction. Such uses include three-dimensional exvivo platforms for idiopathic diseases and cancer modelling.