Advances in abiotic tissue-based biomaterials: A focus on decellularization and devitalization techniques

This Review explores the growing and diversifying field of tissue-derived abiotic constructs for tissue engineering applications, with main focus on decellularization and devitalization techniques and principles. Acellular fractions derived from biological tissues, such as the extracellular matrix (...

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Main Authors: Diana F. Tavares, João F. Mano, Mariana B. Oliveira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Materials Today Bio
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006425002947
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author Diana F. Tavares
João F. Mano
Mariana B. Oliveira
author_facet Diana F. Tavares
João F. Mano
Mariana B. Oliveira
author_sort Diana F. Tavares
collection DOAJ
description This Review explores the growing and diversifying field of tissue-derived abiotic constructs for tissue engineering applications, with main focus on decellularization and devitalization techniques and principles. Acellular fractions derived from biological tissues, such as the extracellular matrix (ECM), have long been considered a valuable approach for the generation of numerous scaffolds and more complex constructs. The removal of the cellular content has been considered essential to prevent the development of adverse immunological reactions. Nevertheless, the discovery of promising features of certain cellular components has sparked interest in the use of inactivated or devitalized cellular fractions for several applications, particularly in regenerative medicine and inflammation control. Devitalization has been described for several clinical applications, but remains poorly explored in terms of in vitro constructs compared to decellularization methods currently available. In this review, we present and critically evaluate a spectrum of approaches for the decellularization of whole-organs and in vitro constructs, and the most prevalent devitalization techniques, with a discussion on their implications on scaffolds composition, structure, and potentially therapeutic properties. Processing methodologies to achieve optimal cell-based abiotic materials and approaches for their effective characterization are described and discussed. The application of these materials in healthcare, with most focus on regenerative approaches and including examples of commercially available products, is also addressed.
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spelling doaj-art-5d0bf05055374f52ab95cc303dae76e52025-08-20T02:27:34ZengElsevierMaterials Today Bio2590-00642025-06-013210173510.1016/j.mtbio.2025.101735Advances in abiotic tissue-based biomaterials: A focus on decellularization and devitalization techniquesDiana F. Tavares0João F. Mano1Mariana B. Oliveira2Department of Chemistry, CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials. University of Aveiro., Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, PortugalCorresponding author.; Department of Chemistry, CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials. University of Aveiro., Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, PortugalCorresponding author.; Department of Chemistry, CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials. University of Aveiro., Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, PortugalThis Review explores the growing and diversifying field of tissue-derived abiotic constructs for tissue engineering applications, with main focus on decellularization and devitalization techniques and principles. Acellular fractions derived from biological tissues, such as the extracellular matrix (ECM), have long been considered a valuable approach for the generation of numerous scaffolds and more complex constructs. The removal of the cellular content has been considered essential to prevent the development of adverse immunological reactions. Nevertheless, the discovery of promising features of certain cellular components has sparked interest in the use of inactivated or devitalized cellular fractions for several applications, particularly in regenerative medicine and inflammation control. Devitalization has been described for several clinical applications, but remains poorly explored in terms of in vitro constructs compared to decellularization methods currently available. In this review, we present and critically evaluate a spectrum of approaches for the decellularization of whole-organs and in vitro constructs, and the most prevalent devitalization techniques, with a discussion on their implications on scaffolds composition, structure, and potentially therapeutic properties. Processing methodologies to achieve optimal cell-based abiotic materials and approaches for their effective characterization are described and discussed. The application of these materials in healthcare, with most focus on regenerative approaches and including examples of commercially available products, is also addressed.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006425002947DevitalizationDecellularizationExtracellular matrixTissue engineeringTissue regeneration
spellingShingle Diana F. Tavares
João F. Mano
Mariana B. Oliveira
Advances in abiotic tissue-based biomaterials: A focus on decellularization and devitalization techniques
Materials Today Bio
Devitalization
Decellularization
Extracellular matrix
Tissue engineering
Tissue regeneration
title Advances in abiotic tissue-based biomaterials: A focus on decellularization and devitalization techniques
title_full Advances in abiotic tissue-based biomaterials: A focus on decellularization and devitalization techniques
title_fullStr Advances in abiotic tissue-based biomaterials: A focus on decellularization and devitalization techniques
title_full_unstemmed Advances in abiotic tissue-based biomaterials: A focus on decellularization and devitalization techniques
title_short Advances in abiotic tissue-based biomaterials: A focus on decellularization and devitalization techniques
title_sort advances in abiotic tissue based biomaterials a focus on decellularization and devitalization techniques
topic Devitalization
Decellularization
Extracellular matrix
Tissue engineering
Tissue regeneration
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006425002947
work_keys_str_mv AT dianaftavares advancesinabiotictissuebasedbiomaterialsafocusondecellularizationanddevitalizationtechniques
AT joaofmano advancesinabiotictissuebasedbiomaterialsafocusondecellularizationanddevitalizationtechniques
AT marianaboliveira advancesinabiotictissuebasedbiomaterialsafocusondecellularizationanddevitalizationtechniques