Advances in hydrogels for stem cell therapy: regulation mechanisms and tissue engineering applications

Stem cell therapy has shown unparalleled potential in tissue engineering, but it still faces challenges in the regulation of the stem cell fate. Inspired by the native stem cell niche, a variety of engineered hydrogels with programmed physicochemical properties have been developed to achieve flexible and controlled regulation of the stem cell fate, greatly enhancing the clinical application prospects of stem cell therapy in tissue regeneration. Here, the recent advances in hydrogels for stem cell therapy are summarized. The mechanism by which hydrogels regulate the stem cell fate is first presented, followed by the application of hydrogel/stem cell therapies in tissue engineering, including bone tissue engineering, skin wound healing and central nervous system regeneration. Finally, the current challenges and future prospects of hydrogel/stem cell therapies in tissue engineering are discussed. The purpose of this review is to provide a reference for the crossover and integration of hydrogels and stem cells in the field of tissue engineering.