ABSTRACT
Three-dimensional (3D) biological scaffolds are used to study cell behavior in a natural environment and to build constructs to deliver growth factors and cells in various types of tissues. An ideal scaffold (biological, synthetic, or combination) consists of a microarchitecture that facilitates the transport of gases, nutrients, peptides, and macromolecules needed for cellular activities and tissue development and permits physiological transit of metabolic products. Such a scaffold is biocompatible, for example, nontoxic and nonimmunogenic (see Chapters 6 and 8), mechanically compatible with the biological environment, and undergoes biodegradation at the appropriate time. Furthermore, and from a practical perspective, the components of an ideal scaffold are readily available, easy to fabricate reliably and reproducibly, and are well accepted by regulatory agencies
14.1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................249 14.2 Fibrin Clot/Scaffold Formation in Wound Healing ..............................................................250 14.3 Fibrin Use in Surgery ........................................................................................................... 251 14.4 Mechanical Characteristics of Fibrin Scaffolds ................................................................... 251 14.5 3D Fibrin Constructs in the Delivery of Bioactive Molecules ............................................. 252 14.6 Fibrin-Cell Constructs ......................................................................................................... 252
14.6.1 Fibroblast Behavior in 3D Fibrin Constructs ............................................................ 252 14.6.2 Monocyte Behavior in 3D Fibrin Constructs ...........................................................254 14.6.3 Keratinocyte and Cocultured Fibroblast and Keratinocyte Behavior in
3D Fibrin Constructs ................................................................................................ 255 14.6.4 Neuronal Stem Cell Behavior in 3D Fibrin Constructs ............................................ 255 14.6.5 Mesenchymal Stem Cell Behavior in 3D Fibrin Constructs ....................................256 14.6.6 Endothelial Cells in Fibrin Scaffolds .......................................................................256 14.6.7 Fibrin and Other Cell Types ..................................................................................... 257
14.7 The Future of Fibrin ............................................................................................................. 258 14.7.1 Cardiovascular .......................................................................................................... 258 14.7.2 Cartilage ................................................................................................................... 258 14.7.3 Bone .......................................................................................................................... 258 14.7.4 Skin ........................................................................................................................... 258
14.8 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 259 References ...................................................................................................................................... 259
as a consequence of extensively documented safe and ef cacious use in patients. Fibrin possesses the above characteristics. Fibrin ful lls most all of these performance criteria and thus has been used successfully in surgery and in generating 3D constructs for tissue engineering purposes.
