Organ-Level Tissue Engineering Using Bioreactor Systems and Stem Cells: Implications for Transplant Surgery

Title:Organ-Level Tissue Engineering Using Bioreactor Systems and Stem Cells: Implications for Transplant Surgery

Volume: 9 Issue: 1

Author(s): Robert C. Rennert, Michael Sorkin, Victor W. Wong and Geoffrey C. Gurtner

Affiliation:

Keywords: Allograft, bioreactor, complex tissue engineering, stem cells, vascularized composite allotransplantation.

Abstract: Vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) enables surgeons to address complex problems that exceed the possibilities of traditional autologous reconstruction. However, logistical and immunologic challenges currently limit the widespread application of VCA. Recent breakthroughs in the field of stem cells and tissue engineering have direct implications for the advancement of VCA. Specifically, the use of bioreactors may prolong ex vivo allograft survival and enable allograft modulations that mitigate immunogenicity and enhance graft function. Additionally, novel approaches utilizing bioreactor systems for stem cell seeding of vascularized bioscaffolds provide a blueprint for the de novo generation of complex tissues. These promising bioreactor-based strategies have the potential to expand the reconstructive applications of VCA, and could one day allow the fabrication of customized complex tissue grafts.

Cite this article as:

Rennert C. Robert, Sorkin Michael, Wong W. Victor and Gurtner C. Geoffrey, Organ-Level Tissue Engineering Using Bioreactor Systems and Stem Cells: Implications for Transplant Surgery, Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy 2014; 9 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1574888X113086660069