title: Biodegradable scaffolds--delivery systems for cell therapies.
abstract: The use of cells as therapies for disease, repair and regeneration of tissues is one of the new challenges in modern therapeutics. To facilitate the ability to localise, condition and protect cells, biodegradable scaffolds are being developed that will improve the efficiency of these treatments. Thus, cell delivery systems, either scaffolds or capsules, play a pivotal role in the success of these techniques. This review discusses these novel approaches. The selection of scaffold materials is addressed alongside issues of biocompatibility. The current research developments in smart scaffolds, which focus on the formation of biomimetic scaffolds, new fabrication techniques capable of controlling architecture and microstructure of scaffolds, and the production of injectable and in situ crosslinked scaffolds, are outlined. Finally, the continuing challenges that will drive future research in the cell therapies are highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, School of Medicine, Keele University/University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 7QB, UK.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Alicia J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: El Haj
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000378:metabolism; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001704:Biopolymers; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations