Post-decellularization techniques ameliorate cartilage decellularization process for tissue engineering applications

Abstract

Due to the current lack of innovative and effective therapeutic approaches, tissue engineering (TE) has attracted much attention during the last decades providing new hopes for the treatment of several degenerative disorders. Tissue engineering is a complex procedure, which includes processes of decellularization and recellularization of biological tissues or functionalization of artificial scaffolds by active cells. In this review, we have first discussed those conventional steps, which have led to great advancements during the last several years. Moreover, we have paid special attention to the new methods of post-decellularization that can significantly ameliorate the efficiency of decellularized cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). We propose a series of post-decellularization procedures to overcome the current shortcomings such as low mechanical strength and poor bioactivity to improve decellularized ECM scaffold towards much more efficient and higher integration.

Keywords: Cartilage tissue engineering; decellularized extracellular matrix; osteoarthritis; post-decellularization.

Figure 1.

Summary of ECM based tissue engineering procedure. This figure depicts the succession of different steps including the origin of ECM, decellularization methods, and their efficacy assessment; post-decellularization methods, and finally recellularization factor that are essential in an appropriate ECM-based tissue engineering procedure.

Figure 2.

Summary of extracellular matrix decellularization procedures. Articular cartilage obtained from the animal knee is first decellularized. Acellular ECM maintains the structural and chemical integrity of the original tissue. Afterwards, the acquired dECM is used as a scaffold to reproduce a functional articular cartilage tissue by introducing different cell types, notably mesenchymal stem cells. The final engineered tissue can be transplanted into the knee joint of the OA patient.

Figure 3.

Cartilage tissue engineering process. In the first step, cartilage ECM is selected from different sources such as cartilage tissue or cell-culture-derived ECM. Thereafter, the decellularization process is performed to remove cells and their genetic materials. (a) dECM content is mixed with cross-linking agents, (b) polymers, (c) polymers via cross-linking agents, (d) cell encapsulated injectable hydrogel microparticles, and (e) platelet-rich plasma. After the post-decellularization procedures, cells are implanted into the final scaffold in a recellularization process. In the end, the cartilage tissue engineering product is ready for application.