Chapter 4 - Stem cell-driven tissue engineering in lung engineering, regeneration, and diseases

Abstract

Tissue engineering is a rapidly growing field that applies the principles of both bioscience and bioengineering sciences for developing new biological substitutes that can improve or restore the functions of damaged or failed tissues. The current clinical study results provide evidence that cell-based decellularized scaffolds are both accessible and safe and can be attained. However, more research is still needed to answer questions on the most appropriate cell type(s) and number and recellularization technique to be used, as well as the physiological sustainability, biomechanical stability, and surgical implementation of these scaffolds in different organs, including the lung. In this chapter, we will review recent progress in the regeneration of the whole lung and describe the major scientific and clinical challenges that face its translation from the research laboratory to clinic. We will review stem cell-driven tissue engineering, describe the roles of decellularized scaffolds in both lung engineering and regeneration, and discuss cell types that are used for repopulating lung scaffolds. In addition, we will describe the roles of bioreactor designs in lung engineering and regeneration, review recent studies aimed to evaluate the current data of lung engineering, and investigate the role of cell phenotype variety in the lung engineering. Finally, we will review research studies on measuring and improving the functions of engineered lungs ex vivo and in vivo and discuss advances in the translation of decellularized lung scaffolds into accessible products with clinical applications.