Volume 7 Issue 2
Nanostructured Biomaterials for Tissue Engineered Bone Tissue Reconstruction
Gardin Chiara, Ferroni Letizia, Favero Lorenzo, Stellini Edoardo, Stomaci Diego, Sivolella Stefano, Bressan Eriberto and Zavan Barbara
1Department of Histology, Microbiology and Medical Biotechnology, University of Padova, Via G. Colombo 3, 35100 Padova, Italy
2Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University of Padova, Via Venezia 90, 35100 Padova, Italy
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Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Bone tissue engineering strategies are emerging as attractive alternatives to autografts and allografts in bone tissue reconstruction, in particular thanks to their association with nanotechnologies. Nanostructured biomaterials, indeed, mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the natural bone, creating an artificial microenvironment that promotes cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. At the same time, the possibility to easily isolate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from different adult tissues together with their multi-lineage differentiation potential makes them an interesting tool in the field of bone tissue engineering. This review gives an overview of the most promising nanostructured biomaterials, used alone or in combination with MSCs, which could in future be employed as bone substitutes. Recent works indicate that composite scaffolds made of ceramics/metals or ceramics/polymers are undoubtedly more effective than the single counterparts in terms of osteoconductivity, osteogenicity and osteoinductivity. A better understanding of the interactions between MSCs and nanostructured biomaterials will surely contribute to the progress of bone tissue engineering.
Keywords:nanostructures; stem cells; bone; tissue engineering