title: Construction of collagen scaffolds that mimic the three-dimensional architecture of specific tissues.
abstract: Every tissue and organ has its own 3-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrix (ECM) organization. Cells in a 3D bioscaffold for tissue engineering typically align new ECM components according to the bioscaffold provided. Therefore, scaffolds with a specific 3D structural design resembling the actual ECM of a particular tissue may have great potential in tissue engineering. Here, we show that, using specific freezing regimes, 3D scaffolds that mimic the 3D architecture of specific tissues can be made from collagen. Three examples are given, namely, scaffolds resembling the cup-shaped parenchymal (alveolar) architecture of lung, scaffolds that mimic the parallel collagen organization of tendon, and scaffolds that mimic the 3D organization of skin. For the preparation of these tissue-specific scaffolds, we relied on simple techniques without the need for expensive or customized equipment. Freezing rate, type of suspension medium, and additives (e.g., ethanol) were found to be prime parameters in controlling scaffold morphology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands., EMCM BV, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Kaeuis A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Faraj
authors.forename: Toin H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: van Kuppevelt
authors.forename: Willeke F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Daamen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001187:Artificial Organs; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002417:Cattle; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000737:chemistry*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry*; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins