Chapter 63 - Embryonic Stem Cells in Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Tissue engineering is an interdisciplinary science that involves the use of biological sciences and engineering to develop tissues that restore, maintain, or enhance tissue function. In tissue engineering, biological and engineering principles are combined to produce cell-based substitutes, with or without the use of materials. One of the major obstacles in engineering tissue constructs for clinical use is the limit of available human cells. Embryonic stem (ES) cells are a current source of cells for tissue engineering because of their ability to differentiate to all somatic cells, and their unlimited proliferative capability. This chapter discusses the importance of ES cells as a source of cells for tissue engineering by using examples from the current research in the field. It also discusses some of the fundamental principles and seminal work in tissue engineering. ES cells can be easily grown in culture and differentiated to a variety of cell types, but ES-derived cells may be rejected by the patient, and undifferentiated ES cells may form tumors. To use ES cells in tissue engineering a number of challenges must be addressed regarding methods to direct ES cell differentiation, overcome the host's immune rejection, prevent tumor formation, scale-up the production process, and control scaffold properties better. This chapter introduces tissue engineering approaches and the role of ES cells in various tissue engineering applications.