From Acellular Matrices to Smart Polymers: Degradable Scaffolds that are Transforming the Shape of Urethral Tissue Engineering

Tariq O Abbas, Huseyin C Yalcin, Cristian P Pennisi

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)
147 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Several congenital and acquired conditions may result in severe narrowing of the urethra in men, which represent an ongoing surgical challenge and a significant burden on both health and quality of life. In the field of urethral reconstruction, tissue engineering has emerged as a promising alternative to overcome some of the limitations associated with autologous tissue grafts. In this direction, preclinical as well as clinical studies, have shown that degradable scaffolds are able to restore the normal urethral architecture, supporting neo-vascularization and stratification of the tissue. While a wide variety of degradable biomaterials are under scrutiny, such as decellularized matrices, natural, and synthetic polymers, the search for scaffold materials that could fulfill the clinical performance requirements continues. In this article, we discuss the design requirements of the scaffold that appear to be crucial to better resemble the structural, physical, and biological properties of the native urethra and are expected to support an adequate recovery of the urethral function. In this context, we review the biological performance of the degradable polymers currently applied for urethral reconstruction and outline the perspectives on novel functional polymers, which could find application in the design of customized urethral constructs.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1763
JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences
Volume20
Issue number7
ISSN1661-6596
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Apr 2019

Keywords

  • Acellular matrix
  • Biodegradable polymers
  • Smart polymers
  • Urethral strictures
  • Urethral tissue engineering

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