The Other Connective Tissue: Echinoderm Ligaments and Membranes as Decellularized Bioscaffold for Tissue Engineering

This chapter examines the sea urchin ligament as a potential decellularized bioscaffold by discussing the significance of collagen fibrils, which are highly-paralleled slender structures embedded in the hydrated proteoglycan-rich (PG) extra-cellular matrix (ECM) of tendons, for reinforcing the soft connective tissue. The discussion is presented in two parts as follows. Part one examines the role of collagen fibrils for providing structural support for the tissue, in the context of the structure of the collagen fibril, and mechanics of stress transfer in the tissue. Part two will review the potential clinical applications of the decellularized bioscaffold, related to tissue implants for repair and regeneration.