title: Extracellular matrix hydrogels from decellularized tissues: Structure and function.
abstract: Extracellular matrix (ECM) bioscaffolds prepared from decellularized tissues have been used to facilitate constructive and functional tissue remodeling in a variety of clinical applications. The discovery that these ECM materials could be solubilized and subsequently manipulated to form hydrogels expanded their potential in vitro and in vivo utility; i.e. as culture substrates comparable to collagen or Matrigel, and as injectable materials that fill irregularly-shaped defects. The mechanisms by which ECM hydrogels direct cell behavior and influence remodeling outcomes are only partially understood, but likely include structural and biological signals retained from the native source tissue. The present review describes the utility, formation, and physical and biological characterization of ECM hydrogels. Two examples of clinical application are presented to demonstrate in vivo utility of ECM hydrogels in different organ systems. Finally, new research directions and clinical translation of ECM hydrogels are discussed.
  
  
  
  More than 70 papers have been published on extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogels created from source tissue in almost every organ system. The present manuscript represents a review of ECM hydrogels and attempts to identify structure-function relationships that influence the tissue remodeling outcomes and gaps in the understanding thereof. There is a Phase 1 clinical trial now in progress for an ECM hydrogel.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 360B CNBIO, 300 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Suite 300, 450 Technology Drive, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA. Electronic address: saldinlt@upmc.edu.
authors.forename: Lindsey T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Saldin
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 360B CNBIO, 300 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Suite 300, 450 Technology Drive, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA. Electronic address: cramerm2@upmc.edu.
authors.forename: Madeline C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Cramer
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 940 Benedum Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. Electronic address: velankar@pitt.edu.
authors.forename: Sachin S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Velankar
authors.affiliation: McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Suite 300, 450 Technology Drive, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK. Electronic address: lisa.white@nottingham.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Lisa J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 360B CNBIO, 300 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Suite 300, 450 Technology Drive, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. Electronic address: badylaks@upmc.edu.
authors.forename: Stephen F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Badylak
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels
keywords: Biomaterial; Decellularization; Extracellular matrix; Hydrogel; Injectable; Naturally derived; Regenerative medicine; Tissue engineering