title: Serum albumin as a local therapeutic agent in cell therapy and tissue engineering.
abstract: Albumin is a major plasma protein that has become ubiquitous in regenerative medicine research. As such, many studies have examined its structure and advantageous properties. However, a systematic and comprehensive understanding of albumin's role, capabilities and therapeutic potential still eludes the field. In the present work, we review how albumin is applied in tissue engineering, including cell culture and storage, in vitro fertilization and transplantation. Furthermore, we discuss how albumin's physiological role extends beyond a carrier for metal ions, fatty acids, pharmacons and growth factors. Albumin acts as a bacteriostatic coating that simultaneously promotes attachment and proliferation of eukaryotic cells. These properties with the combination of free radical scavenging, neutrophil activation and as a buffer molecule already make the albumin protein beneficial in healing processes supporting functional tissue remodeling. Nevertheless, recent data revealed that albumin can be synthesized by osteoblasts and its local concentration is raised after bone trauma. Interestingly, by increasing the local albumin concentration in vivo, faster bone healing is achieved, possibly because albumin recruits endogenous stem cells and promotes the growth of new bone. These data also suggest an active role of albumin, even though a specific receptor has not yet been identified. Together, this discussion sheds light on why the extravascular use of the albumin molecule is in the scope of scientific investigations and why it should be considered as a local therapeutic agent in regenerative medicine. © 2016 BioFactors, 43(3):315-330, 2017.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Experimental Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Dénes B
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8136-7100
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Horváthy
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Experimental Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Experimental Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Charlotte M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Experimental Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masteling
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Experimental Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vácz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Experimental Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: István
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hornyák
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Experimental Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Zsombor
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lacza
mesh_terms: D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008958:Models, Molecular; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D005227:Fatty Acids; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012709:Serum Albumin
keywords: albumin; bone; regenerative medicine; serum; tissue engineering