Tissue engineering and growth factors: updated evidence

In difficult-to-treat disorders, the traditional pharmacological agents or medical devices alleviate the symptoms but do not reverse the condition. In recent years, the increasing interest into the field of tissue engineering has generated different strategies for tissue growth in vitro or the enhanced repair of damaged tissues in vivo. The core approach of tissue engineering for either therapeutic or diagnostic applications is the ability to exploit living cells in a variety of ways. In this context, identification of the ideal cells and development of biomaterials including the scaffolds for potential applications in the repair, replacement, or regeneration of damaged tissues appear crucial. Meanwhile, successful tissue engineering is often dependent on the delivery of growth factors to the regenerating tissues. Growth factors are multifunctional peptides which play fundamental roles in a wide variety of physiological processes including cell proliferation, chemotaxis, intercellular signalling, angiogenesis and the formation of extracellular matrix, also the re-establishment of tissue integrity. In order to mimic the endogenous profile of growth factor production during the natural tissue morphogenesis or regeneration, the sophisticated mechanisms of growth factor delivery should be developed. This review highlights the general aspects of tissue engineering along with the approaches taken to incorporate growth factors within the biomaterials and their delivery to injured tissue. Biomedical Reviews 2012; 23: 19-35.