Transforming one organ into another to overcome challenges in tissue engineering

Abstract

Tissue engineering (TE) is promising for the regeneration of failed organs. However, immune rejection, shortage of seed cells, and unintegrated blood vessels restrict the development and clinical application of TE. The last factor is the most challenging and intractable. Harnessing the mature blood vessel network in existing dispensable organs could be a powerful approach to effectively overcome the obstacles. After being remodeled to harbor an immunosuppressive and proregenerative niche, these potential target organs can be transformed into other organs with specific physiological functions, compensating the latter's failed native functions. Organ transformation, such as a hepatized spleen, represents an effective and encouraging TE strategy. In this review, we discuss the current development and obstacles of TE and its feasibility and superiority in organ transformation.

Stories behind the cover

“…The cover image for the second issue depicts the transformation of a spleen into a functioning liver realized by tissue engineering 2 . Liver transplantation is the most effective treatment for end‐stage liver disease; however, organ shortage has been one of the major concerns across the globe.…”

“…The cover image for the second issue depicts the transformation of a spleen into a functioning liver realized by tissue engineering. 2 Liver transplantation is the most effective treatment for end-stage liver disease; however, organ shortage has been one of the major concerns across the globe. In addition to reviewing the current development and challenges of tissue engineering and its feasibility and superiority in organ transformation, 2 the authors' enduring work solved immune rejection and cell donors and exploited the direct reprogramming technique to turn a spleen into a functional liver.…”