title: Stem cells in alginate bioscaffolds.
abstract: The immobilization of cells into polymeric scaffolds releasing therapeutic factors, such as alginate microcapsules, has been widely employed as a drug-delivery system for numerous diseases for many years. As a result of the potential benefits stem cells offer, during recent decades, this type of cell has gained the attention of the scientific community in the field of cell microencapsulation technology and has opened many perspectives. Stem cells represent an ideal tool for cell immobilization and so does alginate as a biomaterial of choice in the elaboration of these biomimetic scaffolds, offering us the possibility of benefiting from both disciplines in a synergistic way. This review intends to give an overview of the many possibilities and the current situation of immobilized stem cells in alginate bioscaffolds, showing the diverse therapeutic applications they can already be employed in; not only drug-delivery systems, but also tissue engineering platforms.
authors: NanoBioCel Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), School of Pharmacy, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
authors: Ane
authors: A
authors: Garate
authors: Ainhoa
authors: A
authors: Murua
authors: Gorka
authors: G
authors: Orive
authors: Rosa M
authors: RM
authors: Hernández
authors: Jose Luis
authors: JL
authors: Pedraz
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D040761:Biomimetic Materials; D018914:Cells, Immobilized; D004337:Drug Carriers; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012038:Regeneration; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D004337:Drug Carriers; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D020723:Glucuronic Acid