Channeled Tissue Engineering Scaffold: Literature Review

ABSTRACT

Effects of Macro-/Micro-channels on Vascularization and Immune Response of Tissue Engineering Scaffolds: Literature Review

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Although the use of porous scaffolds in tissue engineering has been relatively successful, there are still many limitations that need to be addressed: low vascularization, low oxygen and nutrient levels, and immune-induced inflammation. As a result, current porous scaffolds are insufficient when treating large defects. This study analyzed scientific research pertaining to the effects of macro-/micro-channels on cell recruitment, vascularization, and immune response of tissue engineering scaffolds. Most of the studies either contained cell culturing experimentation or experimentation on small organisms such as rats and mice. To find articles pertaining to this specific topic, two sets of keywords were used in PubMed search: “Channel, Vascularization, Tissue Engineering, Scaffold” and “Channel, Vascularization, Tissue Regeneration, Scaffold.” Only twelve articles were found relevant to this literature review. The sacrificial template method, template casting method, and 3D printing method were the most common methods in the fabrication of scaffolds. Some studies combine the sacrificial and 3D printing methods to design and create their scaffold. The majority of the studies are focused on bone and myocardial tissue engineering. The overall results from these studies showed that the incorporation of channels within scaffolds greatly increased vascularization, reduced immune response, and was much more beneficial for cell and growth factor recruitment compared with control groups, which contained no channels. Currently, the study with channeled tissue engineering scaffolds is still relatively new. More research is necessary in the future, especially in large animal models, in order to achieve clinical translations.