Scaffold technologies: Using a natural platform for stem cell therapy

Abstract

Several contemplated ‘scaffold platforms’ have been reported recently for the feasible treatment of various health problems and diseases. These engineered scaffold platforms consist of two important factors namely stem/progenitor cells and biomaterial scaffolds designed for the regeneration of many diseased and injured tissues and/or organs. There are many limitations for the application of treatment modalities of end-stage organ failure. Thus, future advance in tissue engineering will depend on improving new scaffolding methods. Currently instead of regenerating whole organ, decellularization techniques used to harvest native extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold platform are among the most successful techniques. In the light of this information, in this paper we review the current status of scaffold platform technologies; ‘decellularization methods’ for various tissues and stem cell therapy strategies for tissue engineering.