Issue 20, 2016

Biomaterial strategies for controlling stem cell fate via morphogen sequestration

Abstract

Protein sequestration plays an essential role in maintaining stem cell populations in the native stem cell niche. Both pluripotent and adult stem cells require the sustained presentation of numerous bioactive growth factors and other soluble cues to potentiate cell fate decisions and morphogenic events. Consequently, methods of natural protein sequestration employed by the stem cell niche present attractive strategies for developing novel protein delivery vehicles and engineering biomimetic stem cell microenvironments that enhance morphogen bioactivity. In this review, we will explore the role of protein sequestration in the native stem cell niche and how it has inspired the design of several classes of materials that exploit natural protein sequestration to effectively maintain stem cell populations and direct stem cell fate. We will also highlight several recent developments in protein sequestering biomaterials, in which material strategies to sequester complex mixtures of endogenously secreted proteins are also being investigated.

Graphical abstract: Biomaterial strategies for controlling stem cell fate via morphogen sequestration

  • This article is part of the themed collection: Stem Cells

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
07 Dec 2015
Accepted
14 Mar 2016
First published
15 Mar 2016

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2016,4, 3464-3481

Author version available

Biomaterial strategies for controlling stem cell fate via morphogen sequestration

M. H. Hettiaratchi, R. E. Guldberg and T. C. McDevitt, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2016, 4, 3464 DOI: 10.1039/C5TB02575C

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements