Decellularized Extracellular Matrices in Bone Tissue Engineering: From Cells to Tissues. Mini-Review

Abstract

Extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a critical role in the maintenance of cellular survival, proliferation, and differentiation potential. Decellularized ECM (dECM) used in tissue engineering applications mimics the native microenvironment to regulate cellular communications, metabolism, and intracellular signaling pathways relevant to differentiation and tissue regeneration. Herein, we reviewed the sources of dECM utilized in bone tissue engineering and their effects on osteogenesis promotion. PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus databases were explored to provide original articles published mostly from 2015 to 2020. Then, in vitro and in vivo studies considering advancements on the effect of decellularized extracellular matrices on stem cell osteogenic commitment were reviewed. dECM is mainly extracted from cultures of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), fibroblasts, osteoblasts, endothelial cells as well as from bone, periosteum, cartilage, and tendon tissues. dECM provides supportive niches to MSC stemness, proliferation, migration, and osteogenic commitment via triggering substantial intracellular pathways. In general, dECM is discussed as a promising naturally-derived material in bone tissue engineering with the potency to synchronize the cell-substrate interactions, and initiating signaling pathways involved in MSC osteogenic differentiation and tissue reconstruction.