title: New insights into the pros and cons of cross-linking decellularized bioartificial organs.
abstract: Decellularization is an attractive method for scaffold designing in regenerative medicine. The resulting extracellular matrix (ECM) consists of structural proteins such as collagen and elastin, growth factors, and glycosaminoglycans, which can direct site-appropriate remodeling after in vivo implantation. Mainly, collagen and elastin of ECM are exposed to the enzymatic biodegradation in the host. To control the biodegradation process, treatment of decellularized tissue by a cross-linking agent is required. Cross-linking also reduces antigenicity and increases the storage properties. Cross-linkers should be nontoxic, with the ability to preserve the ECM components, especially glycosaminoglycans and associated growth factors for retention of scaffold bioactivity. In this review, we describe the different cross-linking agents and methods of evaluation of cross-linking efficiency.
authors.affiliation: Stem Cell Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon - Republic of Korea.|Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul - Republic of Korea.|Adult Stem Cell Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul - Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kamal H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Hussein
authors.affiliation: Stem Cell Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon - Republic of Korea.|Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul - Republic of Korea.|Adult Stem Cell Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul - Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-Mee
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Stem Cell Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon - Republic of Korea.|Adult Stem Cell Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul - Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yun-Suk
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Resources, Development Swine Science Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Cheonan, Chungcheongnam - Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Seok
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon - Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Byung-Jae
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Controlled Agriculture, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon - Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ki-Young
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul - Republic of Korea.|Adult Stem Cell Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul - Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-Sun
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Stem Cell Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon - Republic of Korea.|College of Veterinary Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon - Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Heung-Myong
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Woo