Advantages and disadvantages of various hydrogel scaffold types: A research to improve the clinical conversion rate of loaded MSCs-Exos hydrogel scaffolds
Xinyao Zhang, Yi Liang, Dongmei Luo, Pei-Wen Li, Yurou Chen, Xinyu Fu, Yingge Yue, Ruxia Hou, Junyu Liu, Xiangyu Wang
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes(MSCs-Exos) offer promising therapeutic potential for a wide range of tissues and organs such as bone/cartilage, nerves, skin, fat, and endocrine organs. In comparison to the application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), MSCs-Exos address critical challenges related to rejection reactions and ethical concerns, positioning themselves as a promising cell-free therapy. As exosomes are extracellular vesicles, their effective delivery necessitates the use of carriers. Consequently, the selection of hydrogel materials as scaffolds for exosome delivery has become a focal point of contemporary research. The diversity of hydrogel scaffolds, which can take various forms such as injectable types, dressings, microneedles, and capsules, leads to differing choices among researchers for treating diseases within the same domain. This variability in hydrogel materials poses challenges for the translation of findings into clinical practice. The review highlights the potential of hydrogel-loaded exosomes in different fields and introduces the advantages and disadvantages of different forms of hydrogel applications. It aims to provide a multifunctional and highly recognized hydrogel scaffold option for tissue regeneration at specific sites, improve clinical translation efficiency, and benefit the majority of patients. • Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells represent an ideal cell-free therapeutic approach. • The strategy of loading exosomes into hydrogel materials has emerged as a prominent topic in the biomedical field. • The diverse mechanisms of action of hydrogel scaffolds influence their clinical translation efficiency. • This approach is anticipated to offer valuable insights for biomedical applications targeting various organs or tissues.