Scaffold-free cell-based tissue engineering therapies: advances, shortfalls and forecast

• Main Authors: Andrea De Pieri, Yury Rochev, Dimitrios I. Zeugolis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nature Publishing Group 2021-03-01
• Series: npj Regenerative Medicine
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41536-021-00133-3

Abstract Cell-based scaffold-free therapies seek to develop in vitro organotypic three-dimensional (3D) tissue-like surrogates, capitalising upon the inherent capacity of cells to create tissues with efficiency and sophistication that is still unparalleled by human-made devices. Although automation systems have been realised and (some) success stories have been witnessed over the years in clinical and commercial arenas, in vitro organogenesis is far from becoming a standard way of care. This limited technology transfer is largely attributed to scalability-associated costs, considering that the development of a borderline 3D implantable device requires very high number of functional cells and prolonged ex vivo culture periods. Herein, we critically discuss advancements and shortfalls of scaffold-free cell-based tissue engineering strategies, along with pioneering concepts that have the potential to transform regenerative and reparative medicine.