New advances in liver decellularization and recellularization: innovative and critical technologies

Abstract

Techniques for producing decellularized scaffolds for use in liver tissue engineering are emerging as promising methods for tissue reconstruction. In this article, the authors present an overview of liver decellularization methods developed and applied in recent years. These include the widespread use of various perfusion methods for the generation of a 3D scaffold, which may function as a template for either cell recellularization or direct biological application. The authors evaluate methods for scaffold production and explore some factors that may affect the decellularization process. In addition to tissue engineering, this overview includes a description of other potential applications for a decellularized liver scaffold. The authors also introduce the concept of fabrication of fragile biomaterial architecture and finally review the cell types applied to liver scaffold engineering.

Keywords:

• liver decellularization
• tissue engineering
• liver recellularization
• regenerative medicine
• biomaterials

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors were supported by grants from the Scientific Research Foundation of Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China (grant numbers: H20090014, Y20090269), the Health Bureau of Zhejiang Province (grant number: 2010KYB070), the Research Foundation of Education Bureau of Zhejiang Province (grant number: Y201009942), the Fresh Talent Program for Science and Technology Wenzhou Medical University (grant numbers: wyx201401011, wyx201401087, wyx201401009 and wyx201401085), the Research Funds for Tian Qing Liver Diseases (grant number: TQGB20120057) and the Project of New Century 551 Talent Nurturing in Wenzhou. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Key issues

• The best therapy for patients with end-stage liver disease remains liver transplantation.

• Detergents can cause 3D disruptive damage of the scaffold, thus a detailed architectural study of the scaffold is needed to guide an optimal procedure.

• Nutrition and oxygen transmission obstacles must be overcome to produce a scaffold to support optimal recellularization.

• Scaffolds manufactured with biomaterials need to address the challenges of emulating native tissue architecture.

• To ensure efficient and effective recellularization of functional liver tissue, additional studies are needed to define the optimal sources of cells and their ability to differentiate and proliferate

• Devices used for deployment of recellularization cultures should provide the best environment for the scaffold to achieve optimal patency in situ.