Hydrogel scaffolds for differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells

• Published in: Chemical Society reviews 2017-10, Vol.46 (2), p.6255-6275
• Main Authors: Huang, Qiutong, Zou, Yijie, Arno, Maria C, Chen, Shuai, Wang, Tao, Gao, Jingyi, Dove, Andrew P, Du, Jianzhong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adipose Tissue - cytology; Adipose Tissue - drug effects; Cell Differentiation - drug effects; Extracellular Matrix - drug effects; Humans; Hydrogels - chemical synthesis; Hydrogels - chemistry; Hydrogels - metabolism; Hydrogels - pharmacology; Stem Cells - cytology; Stem Cells - drug effects
• ISSN: 0306-0012; 1460-4744
• DOI: 10.1039/c6cs00052e

Natural extracellular matrices (ECMs) have been widely used as a support for the adhesion, migration, differentiation, and proliferation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). However, poor mechanical behavior and unpredictable biodegradation properties of natural ECMs considerably limit their potential for bioapplications and raise the need for different, synthetic scaffolds. Hydrogels are regarded as the most promising alternative materials as a consequence of their excellent swelling properties and their resemblance to soft tissues. A variety of strategies have been applied to create synthetic biomimetic hydrogels, and their biophysical and biochemical properties have been modulated to be suitable for cell differentiation. In this review, we first give an overview of common methods for hydrogel preparation with a focus on those strategies that provide potential advantages for ADSC encapsulation, before summarizing the physical properties of hydrogel scaffolds that can act as biological cues. Finally, the challenges in the preparation and application of hydrogels with ADSCs are explored and the perspectives are proposed for the next generation of scaffolds. This review presents an overview of advances in the preparation and application of hydrogels with a focus on encapsulating ADSCs.