Decellularized Extracellular Matrix for Tissue Engineering (Review)

In recent years, decellularized tissues have evolved into a new, full-fledged platform for the creation of tissue-engineered constructions. Extracellular matrix (ECM) of each tissue provides a unique tissue-specific microenvironment for resident cells with the structure and biochemical signaling required for their functioning. The decellularized ECM (dECM) has been established to influence cell differentiation. The review provides recent data on the composition and functions of the ECM, methods for obtaining decellularized tissues, and their application in tissue engineering depending on their physical form (scaffold, powder, or hydrogel). The effect of the matrix source, decellularization and sterilization techniques on dECM composition has been considered. Regulatory mechanisms of cell differentiation by the extracellular matrix are discussed. Differences in the protein composition of the native and decellularized materials are presented. Application of dECM in the bioink composition for regeneration of various tissues using bioprinting technologies is also considered. It has been concluded that successful application of dECM in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine requires a permanent and biologically suitable dECM source, optimized tissue decellularization protocols, improved mechanical properties of dECM-derived bioinks, and prevention of immunological reaction of the organism.