Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2021, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (13): 2079-2086.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2193

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Application and progress of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in bone tissue engineering

Han Ningning, Zuo Jinfu, Sun Miao, Tang Shengjian, Liu Fangjun   

  1. Plastic Surgery Institute, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261000, Shandong Province, China
  • Received:2020-05-11 Revised:2020-05-16 Accepted:2020-06-17 Online:2021-05-08 Published:2020-12-29
  • Contact: Liu Fangjun, Professor, Master’s supervisor, Plastic Surgery Institute, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261000, Shandong Province, China
  • About author:Han Ningning, Master candidate, Plastic Surgery Institute, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261000, Shandong Province, China

Abstract: BACKGROUND: As seed cells, human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells have many advantages, such as a broad array of sources, easy access, low immunogenicity, osteogenic differentiation potential, high proliferation and self-renewal ability. In recent years, there are more and more reports about their application for bone tissue engineering. 
OBJECTIVE: To summarize isolation, culture, osteogenic induction and scaffolds. 
METHODS: The first author searched CNKI and PubMed databases with key words of “human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, isolation, culture, osteogenic differentiation, scaffold, bone tissue engineering” in both Chinese and English, so as to review the relevant literature from 2004 to 2020. Finally, 104 articles were included. 
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There are different methods of isolation and culture of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. Serum-free or animal serum substitute culture system and co-culture technique have made great progress, and three-dimensional culture system will be the development direction in the future. The exact mechanisms of osteogenic differentiation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells are unclear, which need further elucidation. To date, it is still the focus of researchers to develop composite scaffolds with better properties. Bio-printing technology has primarily solve the difficult problem of controlling precisely the complex inner structure of the scaffolds at the micron scale and fabricating individual scaffolds, bringing great hope for bone tissue engineering. The design and fabrication of scaffolds with multiple ideal compositions (including biocompatibility, high porosity at the micro and macro level, mechanical properties, related absorption and so on) and the less clinical side effects remain one of the key challenges in bone tissue engineering.


Key words: stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, umbilical cord, three-dimensional culture, bioscaffold, bioprinting technology, bone tissue engineering, review

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