Hydrogels as Scaffolds in Bone-Related Tissue Engineering and Regeneration

Several years have passed since the medical and scientific communities leaned toward tissue engineering as the most promising field to aid bone diseases and defects resulting from degenerative conditions or trauma. Owing to their histocompatibility and non-immunogenicity, bone grafts, precisely autografts, have long been the gold standard in bone tissue therapies. However, due to issues associated with grafting, especially the surgical risks and soaring prices of the procedures, alternatives are being extensively sought and researched. Fibrous and non-fibrous materials, synthetic substitutes, or cell-based products are just a few examples of research directions explored as potential solutions. A very promising subgroup of these replacements involves hydrogels. Biomaterials resembling the bone extracellular matrix and therefore acting as 3D scaffolds, providing the appropriate mechanical support and basis for cell growth and tissue regeneration. Additional possibility of using various stimuli in the form of growth factors, cells, etc., within the hydrogel structure, extends their use as bioactive agent delivery platforms and acts in favor of their further directed development. The aim of this review is to bring the reader closer to the fascinating subject of hydrogel scaffolds and present the potential of these materials, applied in bone and cartilage tissue engineering and regeneration.