Polymeric and biomimetic ECM scaffolds for tissue engineering

Abstract

Porous scaffolds of biodegradable polymers and acellular (extracellular matrix) ECM scaffolds have been widely used for three-dimensional cell culture to control cell functions and guide new tissue regeneration. Their microporous structures should be well controlled to make surface pores open and bulk pores interconnected. Methods using pre-prepared ice particulates as a porogen material or embossing ice particles as a template are very useful for preparation of porous scaffolds with interconnected pore structure, funnel-like structure and micropatterned structures. Meanwhile cell-derived biomimetic ECM scaffolds can be prepared by a cell culture method. By controlling the differentiation stage during stem cell differentiation, scaffolds mimicking the dynamic ECM change of stem cell differentiation can be prepared. Furthermore hybridization of biodegradable synthetic polymers and naturally derived polymers can combine the advantages of each type of polymers to prepare functional hybrid porous scaffolds. These methods and scaffolds are featured and summarized in this chapter.