ABSTRACT
I. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 61
II. Structure, Biochemistry, and Rheological Properties of Fibrin ...................................... 62
III. Interaction of Cells with Fibrin ........................................................................................ 63
A. Fibroblasts in Fibrin ................................................................................................. 63
B. Smooth Muscle Cells in Fibrin ................................................................................ 63
C. Other Cell Types ....................................................................................................... 64
IV. Challenges Using Fibrin ................................................................................................... 64
A. Controlling Fibrinolysis during Formation of New ECM ....................................... 64
B. Removing (or Masking) Residual Fibrin ................................................................. 64
C. Effects of Fibrin Degradation Products (FDPs) ....................................................... 65
V. Tissue Engineering Applications ...................................................................................... 65
A. Fibrin as a Cell Delivery Vehicle ............................................................................ 65
B. Artificial Ocular Surface .......................................................................................... 66
C. Skin Grafts ................................................................................................................ 66
D. Bio-Artificial Arteries ............................................................................................... 66
E. Heart Valves ............................................................................................................. 67
VI. Summary ........................................................................................................................... 68
References ..................................................................................................................................... 68
Collagen, which has seen widespread use in tissue engineering, has several advantages as a
scaffold, including the ability to entrap cells directly as it is reconstituted into a gel. However, there
are some drawbacks to its use, particularly the suppression of cell proliferation and protein
synthesis.
