Decellularization techniques and their applications for the repair and regeneration of the nervous system

Methods, 2020 · DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2019.07.023 · Published: January 15, 2020

Regenerative Medicine Neurology Biomedical

Simple Explanation

Nervous system injuries can lead to impairment or complete loss of function. The body's natural ability to repair these tissues is limited due to changes after the injury. Decellularization is a technique used to create scaffolds that retain tissue-specific components, which is useful for stimulating repair mechanisms. This review discusses decellularization methods used to create biomaterials that can potentially repair and regenerate tissues in the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
Dysregulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), specifically scarring, impairs normal cell function and alters the regenerative potential of nervous tissues.
2
Each application-based decellularized ECM product requires treatments that preserve the biochemical signatures within each tissue type to stimulate the repair of brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerve tissues.
3
Decellularized constructs show low immunogenicity, promote cellular repopulation, and promote angiogenesis into the healing site.

Research Summary

Decellularization employs chemical agents, enzymes, and mechanical means to strip cells and lipids from tissue, leaving a non-immunogenic scaffold. Acellular scaffolds offer a unique material consisting of cell-secreted structural ECM proteins, growth factors, hormones, and bioactive molecules, promoting repair and remodeling after injury. The application of decellularized ECM has shown promise for creating biologically active materials that may support functional repair in the nervous system.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Target

dECM materials may be of interest for reversing the pro-inflammatory conditions observed within the nervous system niche post-injury.

Clinical Translation

Several dECM-based materials have been successfully commercialized and therefore may be used as a template to simplify the regulatory process.

Design of dECM materials

Next generation dECM materials for nervous system injuries will require an in depth understanding of the diseased tissue and the ideal conditions that will initiate robust tissue repair.

Study Limitations

1
Tissue selection, based upon both source and age, can have a significant impact on dECM materials
2
The use of enzymatic digestion to form hydrogel-based dECM materials alters ultrastructural and mechanical properties.
3
dECM products must be carefully designed to optimize degradation times to promote regeneration of the damaged site.

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