Aleck H. Alexopoulos

Microplastic contamination has emerged as a threat in transplantation, with evidence of its presence in human tissues and potential to compromise grafts. Transplant recipients, vulnerable due to immunosuppression and surgical exposure, face risk from microplastics via airborne particles, surgical materials, and organ preservation systems. These particles trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune dysregulation—pathways critical in rejection. Microplastics support biofilm formation, potentially facilitating antimicrobial resistance in clinical settings. Despite this risk, transplant-specific research is lacking. We urge action through environmental controls, material substitutions, and procedural modifications, alongside research targeting exposure pathways, biological impact, and mitigation strategies. Transplantation has historically led medical innovation and must do so in confronting this environmental challenge. Leadership from global transplant societies is essential to protect recipients and ensure safe procedures.

Gelatin, a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, has garnered considerable attention in tissue engineering (TE) due to its diverse applications enabled by its tunable physical properties. Among the various strategies employed for the fabrication of gelatin-based hydrogels, the use of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as a catalytic system has been highlighted as an effective tool for producing hydrogels with highly modifiable properties. Herein, we explore recent progress in the utilization of the HRP/H₂O₂ catalytic system for the creation of gelatin-based hydrogels, with an emphasis on TE applications. Particular attention has been given to the interplay between variations in the concentration equilibrium of HRP and H₂O₂ and the fine-tuning of gel properties tailored for various TE applications. Emerging trends, such as in situ gelation and hybrid bioinks, have also been examined through the lens of their prospective applications, extrapolating from the findings in cell cultures and animal models. A comprehensive review of two databases (Scopus and Web of Science) was conducted. The data extracted from each study included the materials used for each application, methods used for material preparation, cells used in the TE application, laboratory animals used, and whether computational/simulation techniques were implemented. The applications included both homopolymeric hydrogels, using only gelatin as the backbone, and copolymeric hydrogels, with ≥2 polymers.

Background: Biomedical engineering, especially tissue engineering, is trying to provide an alternative solution to generate functional organs/tissues for use in various applications. These include beyond the final goal of transplantation, disease modeling and drug discovery as well. The aim of this study is to comprehensively review the existing literature on hydrogel-based vascularized organ (i.e., liver, pancreas, kidneys, intestine, stomach and spleen) tissue engineering of the abdominal organs. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on the Scopus database (latest search 1 September 2024). The research studies including hydrogel-based vascularized organ tissue engineering in the organs examined here were eligible for the review. Results: Herein, 18 studies were included. Specifically, 10 studies included the liver or hepatic tissue, 5 studies included the pancreas or pancreatic islet tissue, 3 studies included the kidney or renal tissue, 1 study included the intestine or intestinal or bowel tissue, 1 study included the stomach or gastric tissue, and 0 studies included spleen tissue. Conclusion: Hydrogels are biocompatible materials with ideal characteristics for use as scaffolds. Even though organ tissue engineering is a rapidly growing field, there are still many obstacles to overcome to create a fully functional and long-lasting organ.