Fibronectin in Fracture Healing: Biological Mechanisms and Regenerative Avenues

The importance of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in mediating bone fracture repair is evident, and fibronectin (FN) has emerged as a pivotal regulator of this process. FN is an evolutionarily conserved glycoprotein found in all tissues of the body, and functions in several stages of fracture healing. FN acts as a three-dimensional scaffold immediately following trauma, guiding the assembly of additional ECM components. Furthermore, FN regulates cellular behavior via integrin-binding and growth factor-binding domains, promoting downstream responses including cell recruitment, proliferation and differentiation. Due to its diverse functions, the development of FN-based strategies to promote fracture healing is under intense research. In this review, we discuss the recent advancements in utilizing FN-based biomaterials, showing promise in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.