Introduction: Autologous bone grafts are commonly used as the gold standard to repair and regenerate diseased bones. However, they are strongly associated with postoperative complications, especially at the donor site, and increased surgical costs. To overcome these limitations, tissue engineering (TE) has been proposed as an alternative to promote bone repair. The success of tissue engineering depends on the microstructure and composition of scaffold materials.
Methods: Decellularized bone matrix-based biomaterials have been applied as bioscaffolds in bone tissue engineering. These biomaterials provide the mechanical and physical microenvironment required for cell proliferation and survival. Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) can be utilized in various forms including powder, hydrogel, and electrospun scaffolds, mimicking the native bone microenvironment due to their structural similarity to the original tissue. This review discusses bone decellularization techniques, the properties of ideal scaffolds, terminal sterilization, confirmation of cell removal, and post-decellularization procedures.
Results: Decellularized bone matrix-based scaffolds improve bone formation by providing an environment conducive to cell growth and tissue regeneration. These bioscaffolds successfully mimic native bone tissue structure, enhancing their effectiveness in bone repair. Additionally, considerations regarding the immunogenicity of decellularized bone matrix materials are addressed to ensure biocompatibility and reduce adverse immune responses.
Conclusion: The use of decellularized bone matrix as bioscaffolds in tissue engineering offers a promising alternative to autologous bone grafts by reducing complications and costs. A comprehensive understanding of decellularization processes and scaffold properties enables the development of novel dECM-based materials that support effective bone repair and regeneration, potentially improving therapeutic outcomes for bone defects.
Keywords: Decellularized extracellular matrix, Bioscaffold, Tissue engineering, Bone regeneration