Collagen matrix scaffolds: Future perspectives for the management of chronic liver diseases

• Published in: World journal of clinical cases Vol. 11; no. 6; pp. 1224 - 1235
• Main Authors: Martinez-Castillo, Moises, Altamirano-Mendoza, Itzel, Zielinski, Rafal, Priebe, Waldemar, Piña-Barba, Cristina, Gutierrez-Reyes, Gabriela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Baishideng Publishing Group Inc 26.02.2023
• Subjects: Opinion Review; Chronic liver disease; Management; Liver; Collagen matrix scaffold; Transplant
• ISSN: 2307-8960; 2307-8960
• DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i6.1224

Approximately 1.5 billion chronic liver disease (CLD) cases have been estimated worldwide, encompassing a wide range of liver damage severities. Moreover, liver disease causes approximately 1.75 million deaths per year. CLD is typically characterized by the silent and progressive deterioration of liver parenchyma due to an incessant inflammatory process, cell death, over deposition of extracellular matrix proteins, and dysregulated regeneration. Overall, these processes impair the correct function of this vital organ. Cirrhosis and liver cancer are the main complications of CLD, which accounts for 3.5% of all deaths worldwide. Liver transplantation is the optimal therapeutic option for advanced liver damage. The liver is one of the most common organs transplanted; however, only 10% of liver transplants are successful. In this context, regenerative medicine has made significant progress in the design of biomaterials, such as collagen matrix scaffolds, to address the limitations of organ transplantation ( low donation rates and biocompatibility). Thus, it remains crucial to continue with experimental and clinical studies to validate the use of collagen matrix scaffolds in liver disease.