Extracellular matrix-based materials for bone regeneration

Abstract

Decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM)-based scaffolds are rapidly expanding in regenerative medicine. The ECM is an intricate microenvironment with excellent biochemical, biophysical, and biomechanical properties, which can regulate cell adhesion, proliferation, migration, and differentiation, as well as drive tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Decellularized tissue-derived ECMs have been reported to be successful in clinical application of cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal surgery. In bone tissue engineering, decellularized ECMs derived either from tissues such as bone, cartilage, and small intestinal submucosa or from cells such as stem cells, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes have shown promising results. We begin this chapter with a brief description of the composition of the ECM and its changes during osteogenesis in vivo and in vitro. Next, the decellularization methods are summarized, followed by the latest development in matrices from native tissues, or cultured cells and their application in bone tissue engineering. Finally, we investigated the different engineering strategies for the design of ECM-based scaffolds in bone regenerative medicine. With this information, we hope to better understand the ECM-based materials and to develop biomaterials more close to the clinical needs in bone tissue engineering.