Cell Differentiation on Hydrogels and its Application in Regenerative Medicine

Cellular differentiation is a biological process in which a cell permanently alters its characteristics (phenotype), ensuring that its descendants also inherit these traits or can modify them when subjected to other differentiating stimuli. During this process, genetic changes occur within cells, leading to a commitment to a specific cell fate. Totipotent cells (stem cells) undergo differentiation based on their ultimate cell destiny, dictated by the tissue they will eventually become a part of it. A current challenge in regenerative medicine involves employing biomaterials within hydrogel matrices to induce changes in cell phenotype and functionality. Stem cells from various sources can thrive within 3D biomatrices featuring defined chemical compositions, and depending on the physical, chemical, and biological cues encountered, they can assume diverse phenotypes. The utilization of hydrogels composed of natural and synthetic polymers, as well as inorganic components, has been explored for such purposes, revealing a direct correlation between the structure and physicochemical properties of polymeric matrices and their impact on cell differentiation capacity. Consequently, the encapsulation of stem cells within these biomaterials can be tailored to enhance the effectiveness of regenerative medicine treatments, particularly in the regeneration of cardiac, dermal, epithelial, cartilaginous, and nervous tissues. This chapter aims to elucidate the fundamental principles of cellular differentiation in stem cells facilitated by biomaterial compositions within hydrogel matrices and explore its potential applications in regenerative medicine.