Abstract
Publisher Summary Polysaccharides are excellent substrates as biomimetic scaffolds for use in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine since most are biologically inert and non-cell-adhesive, allowing these functions to be controlled through modification. Through specific modification with cell-signaling factors, such as peptides, proteins and growth factors, the cellular microenvironment can be defined. By engineering this environment—chemically, physically and mechanically—cell behavior can be controlled and tuned to specific functions, thereby leading to tissue organization and function. This chapter reviews the rationale for controlling the cellular microenvironment and the polysaccharides studied therein for ultimate use in tissue engineering and regeneration. The ideal scaffold mimics the extracellular matrix, defining an environment for the cells that has the appropriate properties to support cell viability, function, tissue formation and host tissue integration. Biomaterials have been designed to serve as temporary replacements of the ECM for tissue regeneration in vitro and in vivo. Both naturally-derived and synthetic polymeric materials have been investigated as scaffolds, with great emphasis placed on the morphology, porosity, mechanical and chemical properties.
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