Tissue engineering

Abstract

The field of tissue engineering has developed rapidly over the last few decades and is of great relevance to musculoskeletal therapy and intervention. Tissue engineering strategies are often considered in a simplified form in terms of cells, scaffolds, and additional factors, although it should be noted that successful translation of such a strategy is more complex. There are many variations of usage and combination and it is not necessary for all three to be provided by the proposed treatment. However, the regenerative approach must produce both the quantity and quality of target tissue at the level of the cell, matrix, and environment. Moreover, the regenerated tissue must interact with the host tissue with a seamless biological and functional interface. Tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and cell therapies have developed significantly over the last few decades and are applicable to a wide range of musculoskeletal applications. Many strategies have been identified that would potentially benefit patients but the future will require successful translation from the laboratory into clinical practice. It is important to identify clinical targets where there is both clinical need and an informed view that the approach is likely to be successful.