Advancements in scaffold for treating ligament injuries; in vitro evaluation

• Published in: Biotechnology journal 2024-01, Vol.19 (1), p.e2300251-n/a
• Main Authors: Liu, Shuang, Al‐Danakh, Abdullah, Wang, Haowen, Sun, Yuan, Wang, Lina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: biomaterials; Humans; Ligaments; Quality of Life; scaffolds; Tendons; tendons/ligaments injury; Tissue Engineering; Tissue Scaffolds
• ISSN: 1860-6768; 1860-7314
• DOI: 10.1002/biot.202300251

Tendon/ligament (T/L) injuries are a worldwide health problem that affects millions of people annually. Due to the characteristics of tendons, the natural rehabilitation of their injuries is a very complex and lengthy process. Surgical treatment of a T/L injury frequently necessitates using autologous or allogeneic grafts or synthetic materials. Nonetheless, these alternatives have limitations in terms of mechanical properties and histocompatibility, and they do not permit the restoration of the original biological function of the tissue, which can negatively impact the patient's quality of life. It is crucial to find biological materials that possess the necessary properties for the successful surgical treatment of tissues and organs. In recent years, the in vitro regeneration of tissues and organs from stem cells has emerged as a promising approach for preparing autologous tissue and organs, and cell culture scaffolds play a critical role in this process. However, the biological traits and serviceability of different materials used for cell culture scaffolds vary significantly, which can impact the properties of the cultured tissues. Therefore, this review aims to analyze the differences in the biological properties and suitability of various materials based on scaffold characteristics such as cell compatibility, degradability, textile technologies, fiber arrangement, pore size, and porosity. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights to aid in the selection of appropriate scaffolds for in vitro tissue and organ culture. Graphical and Lay Summary Tendon and ligament injuries are common worldwide and pose complex rehabilitation challenges. Surgical treatments often involve using grafts or synthetic materials, but these have limitations and can't fully restore tissue function. In recent years, stem cell‐based in vitro tissue regeneration has shown promise, with cell culture scaffolds playing a crucial role. This review examines various scaffold materials based on properties like cell compatibility, degradability, and pore structure, providing insights for selecting suitable scaffolds for tissue and organ culture