Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular matrix for musculoskeletal tissue regeneration

Communications Biology 2026 Open access

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Authors: Shuqing Lv, Yi-Xiang Wang, Jianan Chen, Yunyuan Yu, Huang Xinying, Gang Zhao, X. R. Zhou, Yong Xu
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-026-09638-3
Cited by: 8
References: 134

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular matrix (mECM) is increasingly recognized in tissue regeneration due to its high biocompatibility, controllability, and customizability. In musculoskeletal diseases, mECM provides a 3D scaffold mimicking the natural cellular environment and contains bioactive components regulating cell behavior and fate to promote tissue regeneration and repair. This review summarizes the preparation methods and composition of mECM, its effects on regulating cell behavior, and its applications in bone, cartilage, muscle, nerve, and blood vessel repair. It also analyzes the potential mechanisms of mECM's effects and identifies key challenges to be addressed prior to clinical translation, outlining future development directions.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Mesenchymal stem cell research Bone Tissue Engineering Materials

Publication details

Journal / source
Communications Biology
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
9
Issue
1
Pages
147–147
Publication date
31 January 2026
Language
EN