Efficient biomaterials for tissue engineering of female reproductive organs

Abstract

Current investigations on the bioengineering of female reproductive tissues have created new hopes for the women suffering from reproductive organ failure including congenital anomaly of the female reproductive tract or serious injuries. There are many surgically restore forms that constitute congenital anomaly, however, to date, there is no treatment except surgical treatment of transplantation for patients who are suffering from anomaly or dysfunction organs like vagina and uterus. Restoring and maintaining the normal function of ovary and uterus require the establishment of biological substitutes that can cover the roles of structural support for cells and passage of secreting molecules. As in the case of constructing other functional organs, reproductive organ manufacturing also needs biological matrices which can provide an appropriate condition for attachment, growth, proliferation and signaling of various kinds of grafted cells. Among the organs, uterus needs special features such as plasticity due to their amazing changes in volume when they are in the state of pregnancy. Although numerous natural and synthetic biomaterials are still at the experimental stage, some biomaterials have already been evaluated their efficacy for the reconstruction of female reproductive tissues. In this review, all the biomaterials cited in recent literature that have ever been used and that have a potential for the tissue engineering of female reproductive organs were reviewed, especially focused on bioengineered ovary and uterus.

Synergy of Paracrine Signaling During Early-Stage Mouse Ovarian Follicle Development In Vitro

“…The inability of theca cells to exchange signals with migrating endothelial cells and the granulosa cells to experience the increased influx of hormones, oxygen and nutrients presents a certain limitation in the current setup. New generation culture systems 43,55,62 that incorporate degradable matrices and allow co-encapsulation of endothelial and other cells with the growing follicles will address some of these limitations in the future.…”

Efficient Production of Murine Uterine Damage Model

“…Most of previous studies evaluated the efficiency of cell sources such as bone marrow-derived, embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells, uterine stromal stem cells or in combination with variety of biological scaffolds [10][11][12][13]18], which could be used as undifferentiated or differentiated cells [19]. However, majority focused only on the therapeutic effects of cells, scaffolds, and conditions [20,21]. This non-standardized generation of damage models prevents from the objective and quantitative analysis between attempted treatments.…”

Proliferation Profile of Uterine Endometrial Stromal Cells during In Vitro Culture with Gonadotropins: Recombinant versus Urinary Follicle Stimulating Hormone

“…Uterus is an indispensable organ to support a pregnancy during reproductive period. For the treatment of intractable uterine factor infertility or subfertility, fine engineered uterine endometrial tissue should be offered to infertile couples [18][19][20]. A key component of uterus is endometrium whose stromal cells can be easily retrieved and cultured in vitro.…”