Animal models for bone tissue engineering purposes

Abstract

To assess the efficacy of engineered tissues, it is necessary to have (1) appropriate large animal models that mimic the clinical setting and (2) relevant methods of monitoring the biofuntionality of these tissues. However, developing these tissue constructs is a step-by-step process in which numerous variables such as scaffold design, source of stem cells and mode of growth factor application have to be optimized. After an in vitro optimization phase, the use of small animal models to optimize these various parameters and sort out any teething problems is recommended before launching into large animal models. Depending on the experimental aims, engineered tissues can be transplanted into either ectopic sites (subcutaneously or intramuscularly) or orthotopic sites. In all these experimental studies, non invasive imaging methods (X-ray, magnetic resonance, in vivo fluorescence, ultrasound imaging methods, etc.) as well as detailed quantitative molecular and histological analyses have been used to monitor the in vivo behavior of the engineered constructs. In this chapter we take stock of the present state of the art in this field. © 2008 Humana Press Inc.