Scientists from the Institute of Regenerative Medicine at Sechenov University have developed a bio-ink based on a hydrogel enriched with mesenchymal stem cell secretions. This new formulation has demonstrated the ability to stimulate cell migration and regulate inflammatory processes, both of which are essential for tissue repair.
Researchers point out that mesenchymal stem cells possess significant regenerative capabilities and modulate immune activity, but their direct clinical application faces challenges including storage, transportation, and costly preparation steps. Therefore, scientists are turning to cellular secretions, a mixture of cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles secreted by cells during their growth. This component does not contain the stem cells themselves, which simplifies its production and logistics.
“We analyzed mesenchymal stem cell secretions from different sources and under various culture conditions, and devised a method to produce them with remarkable biological activity,” said Nastasya Kosheleva, a researcher at the institute. “Encapsulation in a biocompatible hydrogel preserves the biological activity of the components and ensures the reproducibility of the results, which is crucial for future clinical applications.”
This hydrogel is the basis for bioinks used in biofabrication , a technique for producing engineered tissue structures in the laboratory, bringing researchers closer to creating customized functional organs . The team plans to work on creating complex periodontal tissues in the near future .
