Sulphated polysaccharides and biomaterials: Steering stem cell fate

Stem cells possess remarkable capabilities of self-renewal and differentiation into diverse specialized cell types, making them invaluable for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Their fate is governed by intrinsic genetic programs and extrinsic environmental cues, including biomaterials that mimic the natural extracellular matrix (ECM). Among these, naturally derived biomaterials such as sulphated polysaccharides have gained attention for their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and biological activity. Natural sulphated polysaccharides, including glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) derived from animal ECM and polysaccharides from marine algae, have emerged as potent modulators of stem cell fate. This review explores the influence of key sulphated GAGs-heparan sulphate and chondroitin sulphate-and marine-derived polysaccharides such as fucoidan, carrageenan, and ulvan on stem cell differentiation. These biopolymers, regulate critical cell signalling pathways involved in osteogenesis, adipogenesis, chondrogenesis, myogenesis, and neurogenesis which has been summarized in this review.