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

Engineered 3D mesenchymal stem cell aggregates with multifunctional prowess for bone regeneration: Current status and future prospects

Zhang L., Yuan X., Song R., Yuan Z., Zhao Y., Zhang Y.

Narrative Review, published in J Adv Res (2026) — 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
J Adv Res (2026)
Reported sample size
—
Source database
Europe PMC
PMID
40220897
PMCID
PMC12766244
DOI
10.1016/j.jare.2025.04.008
Citations
6

Abstract (original English)

Background Impaired efficacy of in vitro expanded mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a universal and thorny situation, which cast a shadow on further clinical translation of exogenous MSCs. Moreover, the relatively lengthy healing process, host metabolic heterogeneity and the sophisticated cell recognition and crosstalk pose rigorous challenges towards MSC-based bone regeneration strategies. Three-dimensional (3D) cell aggregates facilitate more robust intercellular communications and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions, providing a better mimicry of microarchitectures and biochemical milieus in vivo, which is conducive for stemness maintenance and downstream bone formation. Aim of review This review enunciates the phenotypic features of MSCs in aggregates, which deepens the knowledge of the MSC fate determination in 3D microenvironment. By summarizing current empowerment methods and biomaterial-combined techniques for establishing functionalized MSC aggregates, this review aims to spark innovative and promising solutions for exalting the translational value of MSCs and improve their therapeutic applications in bone tissue repair. Key scientific concepts of review 3D aggregates optimize regenerative behaviors of in vitro cultured MSCs including cell adhesion, viability, proliferation, pluripotency and immunoregulation capacity, etc. Biomaterials hybridization endows MSC

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
Extracellular MatrixMesenchymal Stem CellsAnimalsHumansBiocompatible MaterialsMesenchymal Stem Cell TransplantationTissue EngineeringBone RegenerationCell DifferentiationCell Proliferation

Browse all related research

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