title: Scaffolds for liver tissue engineering.
abstract: This review focuses on the expanding role for biomaterials and polymer scaffolds in liver tissue engineering. Studies are subdivided into in vitro and in vivo approaches. The in vitro section of the review discusses the challenges specific to liver tissue engineering, and how the choice of scaffold and its structure influences the success of the regenerative medicine strategy. The in vivo section evaluates early attempts to stimulate liver repair with cell and growth factor therapies, their failings and how current approaches aim to solve these problems.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Nottingham, Department of Surgery, Derby Road, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK.
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hammond
authors.forename: Ian J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Beckingham
authors.forename: Kevin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Shakesheff
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008115:Liver Regeneration; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000639:trends
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials