Advance of Polymers Applied to Biomedical Applications: Cell Scaffolds

Dear Colleagues,

Cells in vivo sense and respond to signals from the outside environment (e.g., other cells and extracellular matrices) for their orchestrated behavior and function. The signals come in and out in various forms, including biochemical, electrochemical, structural, and mechanical signals. Since the pioneering work by Langer and Vacanti, in vitro mimicry of the juxtacrine interactions has been achieved mainly through the use of polymers in regenerative medicine and cell therapy. The polymers act as 3D or semi-3D scaffolds for cells, on which the cells grow and proliferate.

The primary function of polymeric scaffolds was initially structural, providing the physical sites for cell adhesion and growth in a 3D form. However, scientific and technological developments have advanced to enable the manipulation of cell behavior and function, ultimately controlling cell fate, by the use of polymers, including supramolecular hydrogels. For example, as a cell scaffold, mucin-mimetic synthetic diblock copolymers have the capacity to hold human pluripotent stem cells in the quiescent G₀ state in vitro, while maintaining their viability and pluripotency; Polymeric surfaces with specific topographical and chemical features direct stem cell differentiation and spacial organization; Pericellular hydrogels inhibit only cancer cells by cancer cell-specific enzymatic reactions; Individual cells are coated with polymers, and 3D cellular aggregates are formed in a controlled manner by biospecific interactions; Enzymatic reactions are utilized for the in situ formation of polymeric sheaths on cells; Microfluidic fabrication is used for programmed cell immobilization in the polymer scaffolds; And polymer-based cell-surface engineering is used for controlling cellular activities at the single-cell level. Technological advances, such as the development of 3D bioprinting, also allow for the fabrication of cellular hybrid devices wtih high geometrical control of cell positioning, including hierarchically organized scaffolds and multicell-polymer structures.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to highlight the recent achievements in the use of polymers as cell scaffolds on a broad scale, not only limited to the use of polymers as cell-culture scaffolds, but also including polymer-based approaches for controlling interfacial interactions of cells in vitro.

Prof. Dr. Insung S. Choi
Prof. Dr. João F. Mano
Guest Editors

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