title: Tissue engineering in the gut: developments in neuromusculature.
abstract: The complexity of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract lies in its anatomy as well as in its physiology. Several different cell types populate the GI tract, adding to the complexity of cell sourcing for regenerative medicine. Each cell layer has a specialized function in mediating digestion, absorption, secretion, motility, and excretion. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine aim to regenerate the specific layers mimicking architecture and recapitulating function. Gastrointestinal motility is the underlying program that mediates the diverse functions of the intestines, as an organ. Hence, the first logical step in GI regenerative medicine is the reconstruction of the tubular smooth musculature along with the drivers of their input, the enteric nervous system. Recent advances in the field of GI tissue engineering have focused on the use of scaffolding biomaterials in combination with cells and bioactive factors. The ability to innervate the bioengineered muscle is a critical step to ensure proper functionality. Finally, in vivo studies are essential to evaluate implant integration with host tissue, survival, and functionality. In this review, we focus on the tubular structure of the GI tract, tools for innervation, and, finally, evaluation of in vivo strategies for GI replacements.
authors.affiliation: Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Electronic address: kbitar@wakehealth.edu.
authors.forename: Khalil N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Bitar
authors.affiliation: Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Shreya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Raghavan
authors.affiliation: Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Elie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zakhem
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D017615:Enteric Nervous System / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D020127:Recovery of Function; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
keywords: Enteric Nervous System; Intestinal Tissue Engineering; Neoinnervation; Smooth Muscle