Platform technologies for tubular organ regeneration

• Published in: Trends in biotechnology (Regular ed.) Vol. 28; no. 10; pp. 526 - 533
• Main Authors: Basu, Joydeep, Ludlow, John W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, MA Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2010; Cell Press; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Animals; Biodegradation; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Bladder; Bone marrow; Clinical trials; Commonality; Cytokines; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene expression; Genitourinary system; Genotype & phenotype; Health. Pharmaceutical industry; Humans; Implantation; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Internal Medicine; Miscellaneous; Muscular system; Organs; Platforms; Regeneration; Regenerative; Regenerative Medicine - methods; Smooth muscle; Stem cells; Studies; Surgical implants; Tissue and Organ Procurement; Tissue Engineering; Viability; Regeneration; Urinary bladder; Tissue engineering; Regenerative medicine; Technology; Tubular; Review; Scaffold; Organ
• ISSN: 0167-7799; 1879-3096
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2010.07.007

As a result of recent successes in regenerative medicine approaches to engineering multiple disparate tubular organs, methodology commonalities are emerging. Principal themes include the importance of a biodegradable scaffold seeded with a population of smooth muscle cells. Such composites trigger a regenerative response following in vivo implantation, resulting in de novo organogenesis. In this review, we examine bladder regeneration as a foundational platform technology to highlight key principles applicable to the regeneration of any tubular organ, and illustrate how these general concepts underlie current strategies to regenerate components of gastrointestinal, vascular, pulmonary and genitourinary systems. We focus on identifying the elements of this platform that have facilitated the transition of tubular organ regeneration from academic proof-of-concept to commercial viability.