Harnessing Cross-Linked Cysteine Scaffolds for Soft Tissue Engineering Applications

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

Abstract (original English)

Biomaterials are either cross-linked ionically, chemically, or physically, or they can be functionalized with amino acids to overcome inherent biocompatibility and stability limitations. Hydrogels for scaffold fabrication have been effectively utilized to promote tissue integration and cellular processes for soft tissue regeneration. Despite significant progress, poor remodeling limitations persist, hence the need for cross-linkers with dynamic adaptability, native tissue mimicry, and controllable degradation. The aim of this review is to highlight cysteine's capability and potential to cross-link biomaterials using thiol chemistry while discussing the different cross-linking strategies to aid in the fabrication of robust hydrogel inks and bioinks. Furthermore, cysteine's limitations and research scarcity in soft tissue scaffolds are highlighted for its chemical significance and potential role. The review examines cysteine's thiol reactions, including disulfide bonds, thiol-ene, thiol-yne, and Michael additions, and cross-linking ability, with a specialized focus on adipose tissue regeneration. The fabrication methods reviewed include 3D bioprinting, electrospinning, films, and nanostructured scaffolds, with a primary focus on 3D bioprinting of hydrogel scaffolds. Cysteine cross-linking enhances the scaffolds' stability, printability, biocompatibility, degradability, and biolog

Evidence level

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

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