Biopolymers for Liver Tissue Engineering: A Systematic Review

Stem cell-derived liver cells, organoids, and lab-grown liver tissue are promising regenerative therapies for liver disease. However, current culture conditions are sub-optimal, producing end-target cells and tissue phenotypes that are immature or unstable when compared to primary liver cells and ti...

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Main Authors: John Ong, Jacky Junzhe Zhao, Carla Swift, Athina E. Markaki
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Gels
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/7/525
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author John Ong
Jacky Junzhe Zhao
Carla Swift
Athina E. Markaki
author_facet John Ong
Jacky Junzhe Zhao
Carla Swift
Athina E. Markaki
author_sort John Ong
collection DOAJ
description Stem cell-derived liver cells, organoids, and lab-grown liver tissue are promising regenerative therapies for liver disease. However, current culture conditions are sub-optimal, producing end-target cells and tissue phenotypes that are immature or unstable when compared to primary liver cells and tissue. Biopolymers used in culture substrates and scaffolds for tissue engineering significantly impact the quality of the end-target cells and tissue, influencing the efficacy of regenerative treatments. In addition, the biochemical properties of some biopolymers may preclude the translation of downstream bioengineered products into clinical practice. Therefore, this systematic review aims to evaluate the recent advances in biopolymers within liver tissue engineering, providing an overview of the current usage in the field and highlighting novel substrates that have strong potential to be translated into clinical therapy.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2310-2861
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publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Gels
spelling doaj-art-29686aa50afe406ebf512543db29bab52025-08-20T03:58:30ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612025-07-0111752510.3390/gels11070525Biopolymers for Liver Tissue Engineering: A Systematic ReviewJohn Ong0Jacky Junzhe Zhao1Carla Swift2Athina E. Markaki3Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UKDuke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, SingaporeBedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Bedford Hospital, Bedford MK42 9DJ, UKDepartment of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UKStem cell-derived liver cells, organoids, and lab-grown liver tissue are promising regenerative therapies for liver disease. However, current culture conditions are sub-optimal, producing end-target cells and tissue phenotypes that are immature or unstable when compared to primary liver cells and tissue. Biopolymers used in culture substrates and scaffolds for tissue engineering significantly impact the quality of the end-target cells and tissue, influencing the efficacy of regenerative treatments. In addition, the biochemical properties of some biopolymers may preclude the translation of downstream bioengineered products into clinical practice. Therefore, this systematic review aims to evaluate the recent advances in biopolymers within liver tissue engineering, providing an overview of the current usage in the field and highlighting novel substrates that have strong potential to be translated into clinical therapy.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/7/525biopolymershydrogelsscaffoldssubstratesstem cellshepatocytes
spellingShingle John Ong
Jacky Junzhe Zhao
Carla Swift
Athina E. Markaki
Biopolymers for Liver Tissue Engineering: A Systematic Review
Gels
biopolymers
hydrogels
scaffolds
substrates
stem cells
hepatocytes
title Biopolymers for Liver Tissue Engineering: A Systematic Review
title_full Biopolymers for Liver Tissue Engineering: A Systematic Review
title_fullStr Biopolymers for Liver Tissue Engineering: A Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed Biopolymers for Liver Tissue Engineering: A Systematic Review
title_short Biopolymers for Liver Tissue Engineering: A Systematic Review
title_sort biopolymers for liver tissue engineering a systematic review
topic biopolymers
hydrogels
scaffolds
substrates
stem cells
hepatocytes
url https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/7/525
work_keys_str_mv AT johnong biopolymersforlivertissueengineeringasystematicreview
AT jackyjunzhezhao biopolymersforlivertissueengineeringasystematicreview
AT carlaswift biopolymersforlivertissueengineeringasystematicreview
AT athinaemarkaki biopolymersforlivertissueengineeringasystematicreview