Abstract
In the context of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, biomaterials are often used as scaffolding implants that act as a surrogate for the extracellular matrix (ECM), supporting local microenvironment-specific populations of cells for the augmentation, repair, or replacement of dysfunctional bodily tissues and organs. Because of the absence of cells and differences in structure, composition, and three-dimensional organization compared with the native tissue target, biomaterial substitutes are biologically and physically tissue mismatched. Thus, they are innately limited in their functional and regenerative capacities. An example is fibers made from the polymer poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), commonly known as Dacron, which is still currently being used as a large-diameter blood vessel graft [1]. The only resemblance of Dacron vascular graft to the normal vessel is the tubular solid geometry. On a short-term basis, this conduit works by acting as a means to route the circulation of blood. Protein adsorption at the solid (biomaterial surface)–liquid (blood plasma) interface allows the host cells to recognize the foreign surface and enables the formation of neointimal tissue on the inner wall. However, the newly formed ingrowth is not physiologically similar to the endothelium [2] that naturally covers the inner surface of blood vessels, consequently posing a risk of layer buildup, thrombosis, and occlusion. Repeated mechanical stresses encountered by the implant generates fatigue and material breakdown. Incomplete host cellular integration leads to a nonhealing response and eventual biomaterial implant failure [3].
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Regenerative Pharmacology |
Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
Pages | 167-189 |
Number of pages | 23 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781139047357 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780521899499 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2011 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine