Chapter 38 - Histogenesis in Three-Dimensional Scaffolds

Abstract

The field of tissue engineering is driven by the great need for replacement organs and tissues. In general, the regeneration of new tissue, or histogenesis, requires three primary components: cells, a scaffold, and signaling molecules such as growth factors and cytokines. These components are formulated to mimic the in vivo regeneration process most effectively, which creates new functional tissue to replace that lost owing to disease or injury. Important scaffold design parameters include porosity and degradation characteristics that are precisely tuned to accommodate cell viability and the deposition and organization of new extracellular matrix. In addition, the tissue scaffold must be amenable to the establishment of a microvascular system to nourish and support histogenesis. Advances in scaffold microfabrication techniques are helping researchers to design complex, three-dimensional constructs that can guide tissue growth and generate functional replacement materials.