Tissue and organ decellularization in regenerative medicine

The advancement and improvement in decellularization methods can be attributed to the increasing demand for tissues and organs for transplantation. Decellularized tissues and organs, which are free of cells and genetic materials while retaining the complex ultrastructure of the extracellular matrix (ECM), can serve as scaffolds to subsequently embed cells for transplantation. They have the potential to mimic the native physiology of the targeted anatomic site. ECM from different tissues and organs harvested from various sources have been applied. Many techniques are currently involved in the decellularization process, which come along with their own advantages and disadvantages. This review focuses on recent developments in decellularization methods, the importance and nature of detergents used for decellularization, as well as on the role of the ECM either as merely a physical support or as a scaffold in retaining and providing cues for cell survival, differentiation and homeostasis. In addition, application, status, and perspectives on commercialization of bioproducts derived from decellularized tissues and organs are addressed. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:1494-1505, 2018.