title: Hyaluronan benzyl ester as a scaffold for tissue engineering.
abstract: Tissue engineering is a multidisciplinary field focused on in vitro reconstruction of mammalian tissues. In order to allow a similar three-dimensional organization of in vitro cultured cells, biocompatible scaffolds are needed. This need has provided immense momentum for research on "smart scaffolds" for use in cell culture. One of the most promising materials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine is a hyaluronan derivative: a benzyl ester of hyaluronan (HYAFF). HYAFF can be processed to obtain several types of devices such as tubes, membranes, non-woven fabrics, gauzes, and sponges. All these scaffolds are highly biocompatible. In the human body they do not elicit any adverse reactions and are resorbed by the host tissues. Human hepatocytes, dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes, chondrocytes, Schwann cells, bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells and adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells have been successfully cultured in these meshes. The same scaffolds, in tube meshes, has been applied for vascular tissue engineering that has emerged as a promising technology for the design of an ideal, responsive, living conduit with properties similar to that of native tissue.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35100 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vindigni
authors.affiliation: Dept of Histology, Microbiology and Biomedical Technologies, University of Padova Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cortivo
authors.affiliation: Dept of Histology, Microbiology and Biomedical Technologies, University of Padova Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Iacobellis
authors.affiliation: Dept of Histology, Microbiology and Biomedical Technologies, University of Padova Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Abatangelo
authors.affiliation: Dept of Histology, Microbiology and Biomedical Technologies, University of Padova Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4779-4456
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zavan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; C086358:hyaluronic acid benzyl ester; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid