Strategies based on organ decellularization and recellularization

Abstract

Summary Transplantation is the only curative treatment option available for patients suffering from end‐stage organ failure, improving their quality of life and long‐term survival. However, because of organ scarcity, only a small number of these patients actually benefit from transplantation. Alternative treatment options are needed to address this problem. The technique of whole‐organ decellularization and recellularization has attracted increasing attention in the last decade. Decellularization includes the removal of all cellular components from an organ, while simultaneously preserving the micro and macro anatomy of the extracellular matrix. These bioscaffolds are subsequently repopulated with patient‐derived cells, thus constructing a personalized neo‐organ and ideally eliminating the need for immunosuppression. However, crucial problems have not yet been satisfyingly addressed and remain to be resolved, such as organ and cell sources. In this review, we focus on the actual state of organ de‐ and recellularization, as well as the problems and future challenges.

Decellularized human corneal stromal cell sheet as a novel matrix for ocular surface reconstruction

“…Using organ-matched cell types results in organ-specific ECM structures, which is important for biocompatibility. One main advantage of decellularized tissue is that the removal of all cellular components including the genetic material while simultaneously preserving the structure and biochemical and biomechanical components of the extracellular matrix leads to an nonimmunogenic but highly biocompatible construct due to the missing donor antigens in the tissue (Gilpin & Yang, 2017;Hillebrandt et al, 2019). Most of the research in this field has focused on the decellularization of whole tissue and organs.…”

Using GRGDSPC peptides to improve re‐endothelialization of decellularized pancreatic scaffolds

“…The decellularization process for the production of an acellular organ scaffold has been under development for many years, and the results have been quite remarkable. 14 However, the recellularization process has proven to be very challenging, and the major obstacle to successful organ bioengineering is re-endothelialization. 15,16 Improving the re-endothelialization efficiency would be a dramatic breakthrough for the regeneration of transplantable organs.…”

“…Decellularized scaffolds are easily generated by perfusing donor organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, and kidney with mild detergents. The decellularization process for the production of an acellular organ scaffold has been under development for many years, and the results have been quite remarkable . However, the recellularization process has proven to be very challenging, and the major obstacle to successful organ bioengineering is re‐endothelialization .…”

New ideas for old problems: how scientific advances can change the future of organ transplantation

“…A potential solution to facilitate the correct microscopical organization of tissue and to obtain organs with a sufficient size and macroscopic structure to be transplanted might be offered by bioengineering technologies. As an example, Hillebrandt et al [2] summarize the concept behind organ decellularization and recellularization and the most recent achievements and drawbacks reported by the scientific community trying to move forward this technology for the generation of a transplantable heart, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas and intestine. In some cases, this approach resulted in short-term organ function in animal models, but long-term functionality remains illusory.…”