Hydrogels as Carriers for Stem Cell Transplantation

Stem cells are a promising source for cell replacement therapy for several degenerative conditions. However, a number of limitations such as low cell survival, uncontrolled and/or low differentiation, induction of host immune response, and the risk of teratoma formation remain as challenges. In this...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inIEEE transactions on biomedical engineering Vol. 61; no. 5; pp. 1474 - 1481
Main Authors Alvarado-Velez, Melissa, Pai, S. Balakrishna, Bellamkonda, Ravi V.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States IEEE 01.05.2014
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
Subjects
Animals
Carriers
Cell Differentiation
Computer architecture
Current carriers
Differentiation
Humans
Hydrogels
Immune system
Immunomodulation
In vivo
injectable hydrogels
Medical treatment
Mice
Microprocessors
Plastics
Stem Cell Transplantation
Stem cells
Survival
Therapy
Transplantation
Transplants & implants
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Summary:Stem cells are a promising source for cell replacement therapy for several degenerative conditions. However, a number of limitations such as low cell survival, uncontrolled and/or low differentiation, induction of host immune response, and the risk of teratoma formation remain as challenges. In this review, we explore the utility of hydrogels as carriers for stem cell delivery and their potential to overcome some of the current limitations in stem cell therapy. We focus on in situ gelling hydrogels, and also discuss other strategies to modulate the immune response to promote controlled stem cell differentiation. Immunomodulatory hydrogels and gels designed to promote cell survival and integration into the host site will likely have a significant effect on enhancing the efficacy of stem cell transplantation as a therapy for debilitating degenerative diseases.
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ISSN:0018-9294
1558-2531
DOI:10.1109/TBME.2014.2305753