Regenerative Medicine of Epithelia: Lessons From the Past and Future Goals

Abstract

This article explores examples of successful and unsuccessful regenerative medicine on human epithelia. To evaluate the applications of the first regenerated tissues, the analysis of the past successes and failures addresses some pending issues and lay the groundwork for developing new therapies. Research should still be encouraged to fill the gap between pathologies, clinical applications and what regenerative medicine can attain with current knowledge.

Keywords: clinical applications; cornea; epidermolysis bullosa; epithelia; oral mucosa; regenerative medicine; salivary gland; trachea.