Natural-Based Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering Applications

Abstract

In the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, hydrogels are used as biomaterials to support cell attachment and promote tissue regeneration due to their unique biomimetic characteristics. The use of natural-origin materials significantly influenced the origin and progress of the field due to their ability to mimic the native tissues’ extracellular matrix and biocompatibility. However, the majority of these natural materials failed to provide satisfactory cues to guide cell differentiation toward the formation of new tissues. In addition, the integration of technological advances, such as 3D printing, microfluidics and nanotechnology, in tissue engineering has obsoleted the first generation of natural-origin hydrogels. During the last decade, a new generation of hydrogels has emerged to meet the specific tissue necessities, to be used with state-of-the-art techniques and to capitalize the intrinsic characteristics of natural-based materials. In this review, we briefly examine important hydrogel crosslinking mechanisms. Then, the latest developments in engineering natural-based hydrogels are investigated and major applications in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are highlighted. Finally, the current limitations, future challenges and opportunities in this field are discussed to encourage realistic developments for the clinical translation of tissue engineering strategies.

On the progress of 3D-printed hydrogels for tissue engineering

“…Although bioink formulation is a current issue, the inclusion of polymeric biomaterials, combined with thermoresponsive and photocrosslinkable biomaterial network, is expected to expand the quantity of available bioinks for biofabrication. [ 64 , 68 , 69 , 99 ] 3D printing of supramolecular hydrogels may be employed to create scaffolds capable of stimulating the macroscopic alignment of cells and fabricate materials with anisotropic ionic and electronic conductivity. These materials can be made possible due to the synergistic capabilities of supramolecular self-assembly and 3D printing.…”

Oxygen Biosensors and Control in 3D Physiomimetic Experimental Models

“…Organ/tissue scaffolds obtained by decellularization can be directly used for cell culture [ 8 ], or they can be engineered to produce hydrogels [ 9 ], which are hydrophilic polymeric networks holding vast quantities of water. Although the structure of the native tissue is lost during the process, hydrogels present the advantage of forming homogeneous scaffolds for 3D culture [ 10 ]. Moreover, with the evolution of 3D bioprinting technologies [ 11 ], complex 3D cultures based on hydrogels can be developed in an automated way, thus allowing better reproducibility in in vitro experiments.…”

Ultrashort Peptide Hydrogels Display Antimicrobial Activity and Enhance Angiogenic Growth Factor Release by Dental Pulp Stem/Stromal Cells

“…Recent progress in tissue engineering research has transformed hydrogels from their use as controlled delivery vehicles or inert cell carriers, to functional, biocompatible constructs, designed to influence the extracellular milieu in favour of tissue regeneration [ 1 , 2 ]. Extracellular matrix (ECM) components have been used very successfully for the development of hydrogels for tissue engineering purposes [ 3 , 4 ]. Indeed, new developments such as aerogels, based on natural alginate polymers are also in development for medical applications [ 5 ].…”