Tissue engineering for paediatric patients

Abstract

The effects of oncological treatment, congenital anomalies, traumatic injuries and post-infection damage critically require sufficient amounts of tissue for structural and functional surgical reconstructions. The patient's own body is typically the gold standard source of transplant material, but in children autologous tissue is available only in small quantities and with severe morbidity at donor sites. Engineering of tissue grafts starting from a small amount of autologous material, combined with suitable surgical manipulation of the recipient site, is expected to enhance child and adolescent health, and to offer functional restoration for long-term wellbeing. Moreover, engineered tissues based on patient-derived cells represent invaluable models to investigate mechanisms of disease and to develop/test novel therapeutic approaches. In view of these great opportunities, here we introduce the currently limited successful implementation of tissue engineering in paediatric settings and discuss the open challenges in the field. A particular focus is on the specific needs and envisioned strategies in the areas of bone and osteochondral regeneration in children.

Zinc based biodegradable metals for bone repair and regeneration: Bioactivity and molecular mechanisms

“…A new multifunctional scaffold with anti-tumor effects has been proposed and developed [ 184 , 185 ]. BTE treatments for use in pediatric patients must consider biodegradation properties or dynamic structural properties that facilitate their tissue remodeling to aid the ongoing growth of the skeleton [ 186 , 187 ]. Conversely, regarding elderly individuals, the effects of natural aging on the bone microstructure should be integrated, such as anti-osteoporotic effects [ 188 , 189 ].…”

Advanced-Therapy Medicinal Products: Challenges for Implementation in Pediatric Clinical Practice

“…Разработка и активное внедрение в педиатрическую практику тканеинженерных технологий обусловлено острой потребностью в трансплантационном материале, особенно аутологичном [98]. Вместе с тем применение тканеинженерных препаратов у детей связано с определенными сложностями: ограниченное количество исходного материала для создания пула подходящих аутологичных клеток; продолжающееся структурное (например, из-за физического роста), биологическое (например, из-за гормональных изменений) и психологическое развитие ребенка [98].…”

“…Разработка и активное внедрение в педиатрическую практику тканеинженерных технологий обусловлено острой потребностью в трансплантационном материале, особенно аутологичном [98]. Вместе с тем применение тканеинженерных препаратов у детей связано с определенными сложностями: ограниченное количество исходного материала для создания пула подходящих аутологичных клеток; продолжающееся структурное (например, из-за физического роста), биологическое (например, из-за гормональных изменений) и психологическое развитие ребенка [98]. В настоящее время разработки тканеинженерных препаратов для задач педиатрии сосредоточены на выборе подходящих источников клеток [99], создании сложных индивидуальных форм (например, с помощью 3D-биопечати) [100], в том числе с созданием трансплантатов с возможностью роста.…”

Advantages and Prospective Implications of Smart Materials in Tissue Engineering: Piezoelectric, Shape Memory, and Hydrogels

“…Children should be actively involved in clinical trials for healthcare improvement [ 159 ]. In particular, bone regeneration is a great accomplishment in adults, but the immature tissues and continuous growth in children have been an issue for tissue engineering implantation [ 160 ]. Since the organ systems of children are not fully developed yet, surgery for tissue engineering implants poses a certain degree of risk for them.…”