Issue 35, 2024

Mimicking the extracellular world: from natural to fully synthetic matrices utilizing supramolecular biomaterials

Abstract

The extracellular matrix (ECM) has evolved around complex covalent and non-covalent interactions to create impressive function—from cellular signaling to constant remodeling. A major challenge in the biomedical field is the de novo design and control of synthetic ECMs for applications ranging from tissue engineering to neuromodulation to bioelectronics. As we move towards recreating the ECM's complexity in hydrogels, the field has taken several approaches to recapitulate the main important features of the native ECM (i.e. mechanical, bioactive and dynamic properties). In this review, we first describe the wide variety of hydrogel systems that are currently used, ranging from fully natural to completely synthetic to hybrid versions, highlighting the advantages and limitations of each class. Then, we shift towards supramolecular hydrogels that show great potential for their use as ECM mimics due to their biomimetic hierarchical structure, inherent (controllable) dynamic properties and their modular design, allowing for precise control over their mechanical and biochemical properties. In order to make the next step in the complexity of synthetic ECM-mimetic hydrogels, we must leverage the supramolecular self-assembly seen in the native ECM; we therefore propose to use supramolecular monomers to create larger, hierarchical, co-assembled hydrogels with complex and synergistic mechanical, bioactive and dynamic features.

Graphical abstract: Mimicking the extracellular world: from natural to fully synthetic matrices utilizing supramolecular biomaterials

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
15 May 2024
Accepted
22 Jul 2024
First published
25 Jul 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Nanoscale, 2024,16, 16290-16312

Mimicking the extracellular world: from natural to fully synthetic matrices utilizing supramolecular biomaterials

L. Rijns, M. G. T. A. Rutten, A. F. Vrehen, A. A. Aldana, M. B. Baker and P. Y. W. Dankers, Nanoscale, 2024, 16, 16290 DOI: 10.1039/D4NR02088J

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