Biomimetic scaffolds and natural matrices for stem cell‐based tissue engineering and modeling (81.3)

Abstract

The intrinsically low reparative capacity of cartilage is a clinical challenge to effective treatment of degenerative joint diseases, such as osteoarthritis, the main cause of physical disability. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, combining cells, scaffolds, and biological signals, represents a potentially promising approach. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), harvested from adult tissues such as bone marrow and adipose, have multi‐lineage differentiation potential, including chondrogenesis, and are considered a promising candidate cell type for cartilage repair. A biocompatible biomaterial scaffold that ideally also enhances proliferation and differentiation of the seeded cells is critical to successful cell‐based tissue engineering. We have shown that biomimetic scaffolds that simulate the structure of native extracellular matrix, e.g., the nanoscalar fibrous nature of collagen, are effective in MSC‐based skeletal tissue engineering both in vitro and in vivo. Our recent work on the use of custom‐designed, photo‐crosslinked hydrogel scaffolds, which allows cell encapsulation during fabrication, demonstrates high fidelity reproduction of internal structure and excellent cell retention, viability, and differentiation. Specifically, applying a 3D printing approach and a custom‐designed microbioreactor, we have constructed a microtissue analogue of the osteochondral junction, based entirely on MSC‐derived components, to model the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Adult stem cells, with their multi‐differentiation potential and recently discovered trophic activities, when used in combination with biomimetic scaffolds, present a powerful platform for regenerative, therapeutic, and disease modeling applications in biomedicine.