Biomimetic Design for Bio-Matrix Interfaces and Regenerative Organs

Impact statement Naturally shaped biofunctional interfaces support critical metabolic functions that drive adaptive human behavior. To rebuild the appropriate structure and physiological function of tissues and organs, the biomaterials should have properties that mimic those of natural biofunctional interfaces. This review highlights the biomimetic design of biofunctional interfaces through introducing the biofunctional interfaces from hierarchical structure of major material exchanging organs and summarizing current interface engineering that can achieve the biomimetic design of biofunctional interfaces of natural organs. The urgent demand for transplanted organs has motivated the development of regenerative medicine to biomimetically reconstruct the structure and function of natural tissues or organs. The prerequisites for constructing multicellular organs include specific cell sources, suitable scaffolding material, and interconnective biofunctional interfaces. As some of the most complex systems in nature, human organs, tissues, and cellular units have unique bio-matrix physicochemical interfaces. Human tissues support a large number of cells with distinct biofunctional interfaces for compartmentalization related to metabolism, material exchange, and physical barriers. These naturally shaped biofunctional interfaces support critical metabolic functions that drive adaptive human behavior. In contrast, mutations and disorders during organogenesis can disrupt these interfaces as a consequence of disease and trauma. To replicate the appropriate structure and physiological function of tissues and organs, the biomaterials used in these approaches should have properties that mimic those of natural biofunctional interfaces. In this review, the focus is on the biomimetic design of functional interfaces and hierarchical structures for four regenerative organs, liver, kidney, lung, heart, and the immune system. Research on these organs provides understanding of cell-matrix interactions for hierarchically bioinspired material engineering, and guidance for the design of bioartificial organs. Finally, we provide perspectives on future challenges in biofunctional interface designs and discuss the obstacles that remain toward the generation of functional bioartificial organs.

Automated summary

This article discusses the importance of biomimetic design in rebuilding biofunctional interfaces to support adaptive human behavior, emphasizing the reconstruction of organ structure and physiological function to mimic nature. It also highlights the development and challenges of regenerative medicine, and the prerequisites for constructing multicellular organs.