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Engineering the MSC Secretome: A Hydrogel Focused Approach
Author(s) -
Wechsler Marissa E.,
Rao Varsha V.,
Borelli Alexandra N.,
Anseth Kristi S.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced healthcare materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.288
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 2192-2659
pISSN - 2192-2640
DOI - 10.1002/adhm.202001948
Subject(s) - mesenchymal stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , regenerative medicine , stromal cell , secretion , tissue engineering , extracellular matrix , self healing hydrogels , scaffold , translation (biology) , in vivo , stem cell , materials science , chemistry , biology , biomedical engineering , cancer research , medicine , biochemistry , messenger rna , gene , polymer chemistry
The therapeutic benefits of exogenously delivered mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) have been largely attributed to their secretory properties. However, clinical translation of MSC‐based therapies is hindered due to loss of MSC regenerative properties during large‐scale expansion and low survival/retention post‐delivery. These limitations might be overcome by designing hydrogel culture platforms to modulate the MSC microenvironment. Hydrogel systems could be engineered to i) promote MSC proliferation and maintain regenerative properties (i.e., stemness and secretion) during ex vivo expansion, ii) improve MSC survival, retention, and engraftment in vivo, and/or iii) direct the MSC secretory profile using tailored biochemical and biophysical cues. Herein, it is reviewed how hydrogel material properties (i.e., matrix modulus, viscoelasticity, dimensionality, cell adhesion, and porosity) influence MSC secretion, mediated through cell–matrix and cell–cell interactions. In addition, it is highlighted how biochemical cues (i.e., small molecules, peptides, and proteins) can improve and direct the MSC secretory profile. Last, the authors’ perspective is provided on future work toward the understanding of how microenvironmental cues influence the MSC secretome, and designing the next generation of biomaterials, with optimized biophysical and biochemical cues, to direct the MSC secretory profile for improved clinical translation outcomes.