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Scodellaro C, Pina RR, Ferreira FC, Sanjuan-Alberte P, Fernandes TG. Unlocking the Potential of Stem Cell Microenvironments In Vitro. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:289. [PMID: 38534563 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11030289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The field of regenerative medicine has recently witnessed groundbreaking advancements that hold immense promise for treating a wide range of diseases and injuries. At the forefront of this revolutionary progress are stem cells. Stem cells typically reside in specialized environments in vivo, known as microenvironments or niches, which play critical roles in regulating stem cell behavior and determining their fate. Therefore, understanding the complex microenvironments that surround stem cells is crucial for advancing treatment options in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering applications. Several research articles have made significant contributions to this field by exploring the interactions between stem cells and their surrounding niches, investigating the influence of biomechanical and biochemical cues, and developing innovative strategies for tissue regeneration. This review highlights the key findings and contributions of these studies, shedding light on the diverse applications that may arise from the understanding of stem cell microenvironments, thus harnessing the power of these microenvironments to transform the landscape of medicine and offer new avenues for regenerative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Scodellaro
- Department of Bioengineering and Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Raquel R Pina
- Department of Bioengineering and Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Frederico Castelo Ferreira
- Department of Bioengineering and Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paola Sanjuan-Alberte
- Department of Bioengineering and Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Tiago G Fernandes
- Department of Bioengineering and Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
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Nitti P, Narayanan A, Pellegrino R, Villani S, Madaghiele M, Demitri C. Cell-Tissue Interaction: The Biomimetic Approach to Design Tissue Engineered Biomaterials. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1122. [PMID: 37892852 PMCID: PMC10604880 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10101122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The advancement achieved in Tissue Engineering is based on a careful and in-depth study of cell-tissue interactions. The choice of a specific biomaterial in Tissue Engineering is fundamental, as it represents an interface for adherent cells in the creation of a microenvironment suitable for cell growth and differentiation. The knowledge of the biochemical and biophysical properties of the extracellular matrix is a useful tool for the optimization of polymeric scaffolds. This review aims to analyse the chemical, physical, and biological parameters on which are possible to act in Tissue Engineering for the optimization of polymeric scaffolds and the most recent progress presented in this field, including the novelty in the modification of the scaffolds' bulk and surface from a chemical and physical point of view to improve cell-biomaterial interaction. Moreover, we underline how understanding the impact of scaffolds on cell fate is of paramount importance for the successful advancement of Tissue Engineering. Finally, we conclude by reporting the future perspectives in this field in continuous development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Nitti
- Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (A.N.); (R.P.); (S.V.); (M.M.); (C.D.)
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