Level D· Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studiesNarrative ReviewEurope PMCOpen access

Effect of Polymeric Matrix Stiffness on Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem/Progenitor Cells: Concise Review

El-Rashidy AA., El Moshy S., Radwan IA., Rady D., Abbass MMS., Dörfer CE.

Narrative Review, published in Polymers (Basel) (2021) — summary generated from the PubMed abstract.

Open my reading list
Level D· Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studiesEvidence level of this study

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

  • Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
  • Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
  • Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
  • Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
  • Emerging · Emerging topic under active research
Read the A–D evidence level guide

This page is generated from the PubMed record. The Thai description is an automated summary of bibliographic fields and the abstract, not a full translation, and is not medical advice.

Study type
Narrative Review
Journal
Polymers (Basel) (2021)
Reported sample size
—
Source database
Europe PMC
PMID
34502988
PMCID
PMC8434088
DOI
10.3390/polym13172950
Citations
61

Abstract (original English)

Mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (MSCs) have a multi-differentiation potential into specialized cell types, with remarkable regenerative and therapeutic results. Several factors could trigger the differentiation of MSCs into specific lineages, among them the biophysical and chemical characteristics of the extracellular matrix (ECM), including its stiffness, composition, topography, and mechanical properties. MSCs can sense and assess the stiffness of extracellular substrates through the process of mechanotransduction. Through this process, the extracellular matrix can govern and direct MSCs' lineage commitment through complex intracellular pathways. Hence, various biomimetic natural and synthetic polymeric matrices of tunable stiffness were developed and further investigated to mimic the MSCs' native tissues. Customizing scaffold materials to mimic cells' natural environment is of utmost importance during the process of tissue engineering. This review aims to highlight the regulatory role of matrix stiffness in directing the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, addressing how MSCs sense and respond to their ECM, in addition to listing different polymeric biomaterials and methods used to alter their stiffness to dictate MSCs' differentiation towards the osteogenic lineage.

What this study does not prove

  • • This study does not prove SVF is an approved treatment or a replacement for standard care.
  • • This is a narrative review: it collects no new patient data and does not systematically appraise evidence quality.

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

How we grade evidence

Browse all related research

Filter the research library by this study's title keywords, author, or publication year.