TISSUE ENGINEERING - ARTIFICIAL TISSUE RE PLACEMENT CONTAINING VITAL COMPONENTS

Tissue engineering as a new field of research has gained increasing im portance in recent years. The interdisciplinary field combines, biomat erials cell biology, and cell culture bio-engineering technology. The main focus of tissue engineering is the synthesis of artificial constr ucts or tissues based on vital cells or cell matrix. Biomaterials prov ide a three-dimensional structure to shape or guide tissue development . Isolated cartilage cells from a patient can form new tissues when su spended in non-woven resorbable polymers for reconstructive surgery. T o achieve sufficient amounts of autologous cells for transplant format ion, cells from biopsies have to be multiplied in monolayer culture. D edifferentiated and undifferentiated mesenchymal cells may be used for bone and cartilage engineering. High cell densities in three-dimensio nal cultures require perfusion techniques to stabilize culture conditi ons. Morphogenetic factors such as BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) ar e thought to play a key role in inducing and controlling phenotypic ti ssue formation. In conclusion, modern in vitro approaches open new ave nues for the development of vital tissue replacements for the clinic. Tissues can be repaired with the patient's own cells eventually leavin g no residual artificial materials. Tissue engineering further provide s new approaches for in vitro models of the extracellular matrix or di seases which mainly affect this matrix such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. This article describes recent developments in connect ive tissue engineering and discusses the potential for human tissue re pair and reconstructive surgery.