Biomaterials as a Vital Frontier for Stem Cell-Based Tissue Regeneration

Abstract

Biomaterials and tissue regeneration represent two fields of intense research and rapid advancement. Their combination allowed the utilization of the different characteristics of biomaterials to enhance the expansion of stem cells or their differentiation into various lineages. Furthermore, the use of biomaterials in tissue regeneration would help in the creation of larger tissue constructs that can allow for significant clinical application. Several studies investigated the role of one or more biomaterial on stem cell characteristics or their differentiation potential into a certain target. In order to achieve real advancement in the field of stem cell-based tissue regeneration, a careful analysis of the currently published information is critically needed. This review describes the fundamental description of biomaterials as well as their classification according to their source, bioactivity and different biological effects. The effect of different biomaterials on stem cell expansion and differentiation into the primarily studied lineages was further discussed. In conclusion, biomaterials should be considered as an essential component of stem cell differentiation strategies. An intense investigation is still required. Establishing a consortium of stem cell biologists and biomaterial developers would help in a systematic development of this field.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-based Cytotherapy for Osteoarthritis Management: State of the Art

“…Biomaterials of different categories and characteristics have attracted great concerns of investigators in the field of MSC-based regenerative medicine, and thus allow the utilization of unique scaffolds to promote the expansion of MSCs and facilitate their differentiation into appropriate lineages [24,44]. Biomaterials with highly biocompatible properties are adequate to act as splendid scaffolds for cell attachment and supply preferable microenvironment for the maintenance, differentiation, and biofunction of the encapsulated MSCs, which collectively benefit the in situ tissue engineering and translational medicine [45][46][47].…”

“…Biomaterials with highly biocompatible properties are adequate to act as splendid scaffolds for cell attachment and supply preferable microenvironment for the maintenance, differentiation, and biofunction of the encapsulated MSCs, which collectively benefit the in situ tissue engineering and translational medicine [45][46][47]. To date, a series of biomaterials with discrete advantages and disadvantages have been developed and combined with MSCs for regenerative purposes such as the highly biocompatible natural (e.g., collagen, chitosan) and synthetic (e.g., poly-ethyleneglycol, polycaprolactone) biomaterials [44,46].…”

Stem cell and biomaterials

“…The most famous adult stem cell subgroup is mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), which can efficiently differentiate into all cell types derived from the mesoderm. These cells can be relatively easily isolated from bone marrow, adipose tissue, and umbilical cord blood (14). MSC are a source of precursor cells that can be replicated in vitro and used for tissue regeneration for different clinical applications (15).…”

“…Various biomaterials have been designed to mimic the natural ECM action in vitro. Applying biomaterials in a 3D environment can also help create a human-based model that can reduce animal use in research (14). Considering that it once served only as a physical structure, it is now clear that the chemical composition of biomaterial scaffolds can guide, improve and redefine cell behavior (32).…”

Microporous Annealed Particle (MAP) Scaffold Pore Size Influences Mesenchymal Stem Cell Metabolism and Proliferation Without Changing CD73, CD90, and CD105 Expression Over Two Weeks

“…[2,3] The regenerative potential of these endogenous supercells can be harnessed for various tissue applications by carefully designing instructional biomaterial constructs. [4] In particular, scaffold pore architecture (pore size, interconnectivity, and total porosity) has been shown to influence stem cell fate.…”