Stem Cell Immunoengineering

A special issue of Bioengineering (ISSN 2306-5354). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanobiotechnology and Biofabrication".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 526

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Interests: chimeric antigen receptor engineering immune cells; immunotherapy; pluripotent stem cell engineering; bio-nanotechnology engineering
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Stem cell immunoengineering is transforming the landscape of immunotherapy by combining stem cell biology, genetic engineering, and bioengineering to generate next-generation immune cells with enhanced therapeutic potential. Recent advances include the development of pluripotent stem cell-derived T and NK cells with scalable and standardized manufacturing processes, CRISPR-based multiplex genome editing to improve persistence and reduce exhaustion, and synthetic biology tools enabling programmable immune responses. Additionally, biomaterial-assisted delivery systems and nanotechnology are expanding the toolbox for precise immune modulation and in vivo cell reprogramming.

Despite these advances, key challenges remain, such as improving the efficiency and safety of lineage-specific differentiation, overcoming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, ensuring long-term engraftment and functional persistence, and translating preclinical discoveries into clinically viable therapies. Moreover, addressing regulatory hurdles and developing cost-effective, off-the-shelf universal immune cell products are critical for broadening accessibility.

This collection invites original research and reviews that advance stem cell-based immune engineering, with particular interest in studies that bridge fundamental biological insights with translational and clinical innovation:

  • Engineered pluripotent stem cell-derived immune cells.
  • Novel genetic and epigenetic programming strategies.
  • Biomaterials and delivery platform.
  • Single-cell and system immunology approaches.
  • Translational and clinical applications.

By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and highlighting both breakthroughs and challenges, this Special Issue aims to accelerate the development of transformative immunotherapies for cancer, infectious diseases, autoimmunity, and aging-related immune decline.

Dr. Yun Chang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • stem cell
  • immunoengineering
  • immune cells
  • genetic and epigenetic programming
  • biomaterials
  • delivery system

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

18 pages, 1632 KB  
Review
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Aging: Mechanisms, Microenvironment Influences, and Rejuvenation Strategies
by Jiaqi Cui, Xincan Li, Bin Liu, Cheng Dong and Yun Chang
Bioengineering 2025, 12(11), 1166; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12111166 - 27 Oct 2025
Viewed by 258
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are essential for lifelong blood production and immune homeostasis. However, aging induces functional declines in HSCs, leading to hematological disorders, immune dysfunction, and increased susceptibility to malignancies. This review explores the biological underpinnings of HSC aging, highlighting the intrinsic [...] Read more.
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are essential for lifelong blood production and immune homeostasis. However, aging induces functional declines in HSCs, leading to hematological disorders, immune dysfunction, and increased susceptibility to malignancies. This review explores the biological underpinnings of HSC aging, highlighting the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that drive this process. We discuss the molecular and cellular mechanisms contributing to HSC aging, including genetic instability, epigenetic alterations, metabolic shifts, and inflammation signaling. Additionally, we examine the role of the bone marrow microenvironment in modulating HSC aging, emphasizing the impact of niche interactions, stromal cell dysfunction, and extracellular matrix remodeling. To advance our understanding of HSC aging, pluripotent stem cell differentiation platforms provide a valuable tool for modeling aged HSC phenotypes and identifying potential therapeutic targets. We review current strategies for HSC rejuvenation, including metabolic reprogramming, epigenetic modifications, pharmacological interventions, and niche-targeted approaches, aiming to restore HSC function and improve regenerative potential. Finally, we present emerging perspectives on the clinical implications of HSC aging, discussing potential translational strategies for combating age-associated hematopoietic decline. By integrating insights from stem cell biology, aging research, and regenerative medicine, this review provides a comprehensive overview of HSC aging and its therapeutic potential. Addressing these challenges will be critical for developing interventions that promote hematopoietic health and improve outcomes in aging populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stem Cell Immunoengineering)
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