Smart scaffolds in tissue regeneration

Abstract

Recent advances in biofabrication technologies and chemical synthesis approaches have enabled the fabrication of smart scaffolds that aim to mimic the dynamic nature of the native extracellular matrix. These scaffolds have paved the way for tissue regeneration in a dynamic and controllable manner.

Keywords: drug delivery; regenerative mechanism; scaffolds.

Figure 1

Smart scaffolds in tissue regeneration. (A) Pictures of shape-memory scaffold before and after the injection through the glass tube. Scale bars, 2.5 mm. Adapted with permission from ref. [1]. (B) Fluorescence pictures of live and dead rat cardiomyocytes (green and red colors, respectively) on the shape-memory scaffold before and after the injection. The scaffold showed autofluorescence in the red channel. Scale bars, 1 mm. Adapted with permission from ref. [1]. (C) Schematic of implantation of an engineered tissue on shape-memory scaffold in a minimally invasive manner using laparoscopic surgery compared with the tissue implantation using conventional surgery. (D) Characteristics of an ideal smart scaffold to modulate the inflammatory response of the body. Adapted with permission from ref. [17]. (E) schematic of a smart delivery system equipped with electronics and heater to release drugs embedded in nanofiber scaffolds. Adapted with permission from ref. [15]