Injectable scaffolds: preparation and application in tissue engineering

Tissue engineering has become a promising strategy for repairing damaged tissue. Among the scaffolds for tissue-engineering applications, injectable hydrogels have demonstrated great potential for use as scaffolds in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine because of their high water content, similarity to the natural extracellular matrix (ECM), porous framework for cell transplantation and proliferation, minimal invasive properties, and ability to match irregular defects. For tissue repair applications, it is essential that such scaffolds have the mechanical properties, porosity and pore diameter to support the formation of new tissue. In this review, we provide an overview of injectable scaffolding materials, including natural and synthetic biomaterials. Next, we discuss a variety of gelation mechanisms of the injectable scaffolds. Furthermore, we summarize the applications of the injectable scaffolds for the regeneration of bone and cartilage tissues.

کلیدواژه ها:

Injectable scaffolds ، Biodegradable ، Tissue engineering ، Hydrogel.