Cell-subpopulation alteration and FGF7 activation regulate the function of tendon stem/progenitor cells in 3D microenvironment revealed by single-cell analysis.

Three dimensional (3D) microenvironments more accurately replicate native microenvironments for stem cell maintenance and function compared with two dimensional (2D) microenvironments. However, the molecular mechanisms by which 3D microenvironments regulate stem cell function remain largely unexplored at the single-cell level. Here, using a single-cell analysis and functional analysis, we found not all cell-subpopulations respond to 3D microenvironments based on a systematically 3D gelatin microcarrier culture system we developed for the expansion and function maintenance of hTSPCs.

Atlas of Musculoskeletal Stem Cells with the Soft and Hard Tissue Differentiation Architecture.

Although being of utmost importance for human health and mobility, stem cell identity and hierarchical organization of musculoskeletal progenitors remain largely unexplored. Here, cells from E10.5, E12.

Injectable hydrogels for tendon and ligament tissue engineering.

The problem of tendon and ligament (T/L) regeneration in musculoskeletal diseases has long constituted a major challenge. In situ injection of formable biodegradable hydrogels, however, has been demonstrated to treat T/L injury and reduce patient suffering in a minimally invasive manner. An injectable hydrogel is more suitable than other biological materials due to the special physiological structure of T/L.

Physical Microenvironment-Based Inducible Scaffold for Stem Cell Differentiation and Tendon Regeneration.

Tendon injuries are common musculoskeletal system disorders, but the tendons have poor regeneration ability. To address this issue, tendon tissue engineering provides potential strategies for future therapeutic treatment. Elements of the physical microenvironment, such as the mechanical force and surface topography, play a vital role in regulating stem cell fate, enhancing the differentiation efficiency of seed cells in tendon tissue engineering.