Abstract
The field of regenerative medicine utilizes a wide array of technologies and techniques for repairing and restoring function to damaged tissues. Among these, stem cells offer one of the most potent and promising biological tools to facilitate such goals. Implementation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and embryonic stem cells (ESCs) offer varying advantages based on availability and efficacy in the target tissue. The focus of this review is to discuss characteristics of these three subset stem cell populations and examine their utility in tissue engineering. In particular, the development of therapeutics that utilize cell-based approaches, divided by germinal layer to further assess research targeting specific tissues of the mesoderm, ectoderm, and endoderm. The combinatorial application of MSCs, iPSCs, and ESCs with natural and synthetic scaffold technologies can enhance the reparative capacity and survival of implanted cells. Continued efforts to generate more standardized approaches for these cells may provide improved study-to-study variations on implementation, thereby increasing the clinical translatability of cell-based therapeutics. Coupling clinically translatable research with commercially oriented methods offers the potential to drastically advance medical treatments for multiple diseases and injuries, improving the quality of life for many individuals.
Highlights
Stem cells are immature cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation into functional cell types [1]
Stem cell-based therapies may offer an enhanced therapeutic alternative for damage caused by intervertebral disc degeneration (IVD), which is characterized by the decomposition of fibrous cartilage between the spinal bones resulting in severe back pain and limited mobility
mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have been implemented in designing therapeutic strategies for vascular tissue engineering technologies, with a key aspect being the stimulation of expression for key angiogenic-associated markers including CD31, CD34, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
Summary
Stem cells are immature cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation into functional cell types [1]. In contrast to the multipotency of MSCs, the pluripotency of iPSCs and ESCs permits these cells to readily differentiate to lineages of mesodermal, ectodermal, and endodermal layers [7] This highly dynamic maturation potential represents a uniquely powerful tool for regenerative medicine as it provides a therapeutic agent capable of application in a wide array of injuries and diseases [8]. Biomaterials have a critical role for providing a platform capable of delivering the stem cell payload, and maintaining an environment for proliferation after implantation [12,13,14] For this reason, a plethora of scaffold compositions incorporating organic and/or synthetic constituents have been utilized in conjunction with stem cells to generate effective treatments for injuries to target tissues [15]. By providing a summarized portfolio describing the characteristics and potential roles for each of these stem cell types, the review intends to stimulate future innovations and advancements in the field of regenerative medicine
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
