Injectable alginate hydrogels for cell delivery in tissue engineering

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Silvia J Bidarra (Author) Other; Cristina C Barrias (Author) Other; Pedro L Granja (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Acta Biomaterialia

Vol. 10

Pages: 1646-1662

ISSN: 1742-7061

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 15 Citations

Scopus - 15 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Environmental biotechnology

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-7T1

DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2013.12.006

Abstract (EN): Alginate hydrogels are extremely versatile and adaptable biomaterials, with great potential for use in biomedical applications. Their extracellular matrix-like features have been key factors for their choice as vehicles for cell delivery strategies aimed at tissue regeneration. A variety of strategies to decorate them with biofunctional moieties and to modulate their biophysical properties have been developed recently, which further allow their tailoring to the desired application. Additionally, their potential use as injectable materials offers several advantages over preformed scaffold-based approaches, namely: easy incorporation of therapeutic agents, such as cells, under mild conditions; minimally invasive local delivery; and high contourability, which is essential for filling in irregular defects. Alginate hydrogels have already been explored as cell delivery systems to enhance regeneration in different tissues and organs. Here, the in vitro and in vivo potential of injectable alginate hydrogels to deliver cells in a targeted fashion is reviewed. In each example, the selected crosslinking approach, the cell type, the target tissue and the main findings of the study are highlighted. (C) 2013 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 17