Emerging Hydrogel‐Based Systems for Stem Cell Delivery and Bone Repair
Lei Yang, Xiuling He, Lijun Cai, Yuanjin Zhao
Abstract
ABSTRACT Bone tissue defects pose a significant clinical challenge because of the limitations of autologous transplantation and synthetic substitutes. Recently, hydrogels with extracellular matrix‐mimicking architectures have emerged as ideal carriers for stem cells, offering precise spatiotemporal control over cell delivery and differentiation. In this article, we comprehensively review the use of stem cell hydrogel delivery technology in treating bone defects, focusing on hydrogel design, stem cell selection, and their application in bone repair. First, we describe common hydrogel materials for stem cell delivery and bone repair, detailing their cross‐linking strategies and characteristics. Second, we outline the types of stem cells utilized in bone repair and highlight the key characteristics of stem cell‐loaded hydrogels. Finally, we explore different stem cell delivery systems utilizing hydrogels for bone repair, summarizing the current challenges and future directions. Our findings offer insights into hydrogel‐based stem‐cell delivery strategies for bone repair, advancing related disciplines.