Re-epithelialization: a key element in tracheal tissue engineering. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Hengyi; Fu, Wei; Xu, Zhiwei
• Is Part Of: Regenerative medicine. Volume 10:Number 8(2015)
• Page Start: 1005
• Page End: 1023
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: cell culture -- epithelial cells -- regenerative medicine -- stem/progenitor cell -- tissue engineering -- trachea; Cellular therapy -- Periodicals; Stem cells -- Transplantation -- Periodicals; Degeneration (Pathology) -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Regeneration (Biology) -- Periodicals; 611.018
• DOI: 10.2217/rme.15.68
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1746-0751

Abstract

Trachea-tissue engineering is a thriving new field in regenerative medicine that is reaching maturity and yielding numerous promising results. In view of the crucial role that the epithelium plays in the trachea, re-epithelialization of tracheal substitutes has gradually emerged as the focus of studies in tissue-engineered trachea. Recent progress in our understanding of stem cell biology, growth factor interactions and transplantation immunobiology offer the prospect of optimization of a tissue-engineered tracheal epithelium. In addition, advances in cell culture technology and successful applications of clinical transplantation are opening up new avenues for the construction of a tissue-engineered tracheal epithelium. Therefore, this review summarizes current advances, unresolved obstacles and future directions in the reconstruction of a tissue-engineered tracheal epithelium.