BioTM Buzz Volume 5, Issue 1

摘要

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have considerablepotential for tissue regeneration applications, given their abilitiesto differentiate into various cell lineages. As such, they are usedin a number of cell therapies ranging from treatment of myocar-dial infarctions to spinal cord injuries. However, physiologicalchallenges that include immune system interactions and low cellretention at the site of application have limited their local deliv-ery to sites that require regeneration. One technology to addressthese challenges are hydrogels, which can improve local reten-tion and enhance engraftment of hMSCs by controlling interac-tions with the local microenvironment at the site of application.In this issue of BioengineeringandTranslational Medicine, a teamled by Professor Eric Appel in the Department of Materials Sci-enceandEngineering at Stanford University, describe a novelpolymer-nanoparticle hydrogel that is readily injected and appliedless invasively than traditional hydrogels, which often requireimplants. The authors define the key hydrogel parameters thatfacilitate uniform hMSC encapsulation, hMSC viability, andslower dissolution. Finally, in vivo results highlighting how thepolymer-nanoparticle hydrogels could prolong residence time ofhMSCs for up to 2 weeks as compared to 10 days for non-encapsulated hMSCs. This work highlights how key hydrogelparameters, which govern viability and hMSC delivery, can bedefined and optimized in vitro for enhanced delivery and reten-tion of hMSCs in vivo.