Cell-derived decellularised extracellular matrix (dECM), particularly from mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs), is emerging as one of the most promising biomaterials for bone tissue engineering. By closely mimicking the composition of native bone ECM and providing immunomodulatory and trophic molecules, dECM supports bone regeneration. However, its limited mechanical properties often require reinforcement with synthetic polymers to ensure scaffold strength and stability, which are essential for supporting hard tissues such as bone.
A recent review published in RSC Advances explores the potential of MSC-dECM composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. The article was authored by former iBB members Margarida Domingues and Marta Carvalho, together with iBB/Departamento de Bioengenharia researchers Paola Sanjuan Alberte and João Carlos Silva.
The review highlights different scaffold formats, including 3D-printed constructs, electrospun fibrous matrices, hydrogels, and metallic scaffolds, and discusses how the incorporation of MSC-dECM enhances osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties. These improvements have been shown to increase bone formation in both in vitro and in vivo studies.
The authors also outline current challenges and future directions to advance MSC-dECM-enriched scaffolds toward clinically effective bone repair strategies. This work was carried out under the FCT project InSilico4OCReg (PTDC/EME-SIS/0838/2021).
Link to full paper: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/ra/d5ra02106e