Umemori Kentaro, Little Dianne
Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.
Bioprinting. 2025 Oct;50. doi: 10.1016/j.bprint.2025.e00429. Epub 2025 Jul 30.
Tissue engineering frequently employs biomimetic scaffolds to direct cell responses and facilitate the differentiation of cells into specific lineages. Biodegradable scaffolds mitigate immune responses, stress shielding concerns in load bearing tissues, and the need for secondary or revision surgical procedures for retrieval. However, during the degradation process, scaffold properties such as fiber diameter, fiber porosity, fiber alignment, surface properties and mechanical properties undergo changes that significantly alter the initial properties. This review aims to comprehensively assess the impact of degradation on scaffold properties from the perspective of their effects on cellular behavior by addressing four key aspects of polymer degradation: First, we review the variables that influence scaffold degradation. Second, we examine how degradation impacts scaffold properties. Third, we explore the effects of scaffold degradation products. Finally, we investigate measures to increase tunability of degradation rate. Harnessing and incorporating these degradation mechanisms into scaffold design holds great promise for advancing the development of tissue-engineered scaffolds, ultimately improving their efficacy and clinical utility.
组织工程经常使用仿生支架来引导细胞反应，并促进细胞向特定谱系分化。可生物降解支架可减轻免疫反应、承重组织中的应力屏蔽问题，以及取出支架所需的二次或翻修手术。然而，在降解过程中，支架的特性，如纤维直径、纤维孔隙率、纤维排列、表面特性和机械性能会发生变化，从而显著改变其初始特性。本综述旨在通过探讨聚合物降解的四个关键方面，从降解对细胞行为的影响角度，全面评估降解对支架特性的影响：第一，我们回顾影响支架降解的变量。第二，我们研究降解如何影响支架特性。第三，我们探讨支架降解产物的影响。最后，我们研究提高降解速率可调性的措施。将这些降解机制应用并纳入支架设计，对于推进组织工程支架的发展具有巨大潜力，最终可提高其功效和临床实用性。
