Natural biomaterials for regenerative medicine applications

This chapter reviews the use of naturally occurring biomaterials for tissue repair and regeneration and the effects of tissue source and processing methods for these materials upon the host response. The pros and cons of naturally biologic scaffolds are discussed. Methods for the preparation of biologic scaffolds are shown to have a critical effect upon functionality of the device. The mechanisms by which biologic scaffolds composed of extracellular matrix can alter the default wound healing response from the well-described pro-inflammatory and scarring events toward a more constructive remodeling response, i.e., the site appropriate formation of functional tissue, are discussed in detail.