Growth factor delivery for tissue engineering

A tissue-engineered implant is a biologic-biomaterial combination in which some component of tissue has been combined with a biomaterial to create a d evice for the restoration or modification of tissue or organ function. Spec ific growth factors, released from a delivery device or from co-transplante d cells. would aid in the induction of host paraenchymal cell infiltration and improve engraftment of co-delivered cells for more efficient tissue reg eneration or ameliorate disease states. The characteristic properties of gr owth factors are described to provide a biological basis for their use in t issue engineered devices. The principles of polymeric device development fo r therapeutic growth factor delivery in the context of tissue engineering a re outlined. A review of experimental evidence illustrates examples of grow th factor delivery from devices such as micropaticles. scaffolds, and encap sulated cells, for their use in the application areas of musculoskeletal ti ssue, neural tissue, and hepatic tissue.