Challenges and future perspectives in using mesenchymal stem cells for efficient bone fracture healing

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) demonstrate considerable potential for enhancing bone fracture healing due to their multipotency and immunomodulatory properties. This review investigates the relationship between MSCs, the immune system, and the skeletal microenvironment, focusing on the roles of cytok...

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Main Authors: Dong Han, Weiwei Liu, Jinpeng Gong, Yupeng Ma, Zhengwen Sun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1568914/full
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author Dong Han
Weiwei Liu
Jinpeng Gong
Yupeng Ma
Zhengwen Sun
author_facet Dong Han
Weiwei Liu
Jinpeng Gong
Yupeng Ma
Zhengwen Sun
author_sort Dong Han
collection DOAJ
description Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) demonstrate considerable potential for enhancing bone fracture healing due to their multipotency and immunomodulatory properties. This review investigates the relationship between MSCs, the immune system, and the skeletal microenvironment, focusing on the roles of cytokines and signaling pathways in osteogenesis. The healing process of bone fractures is complex and involves a coordinated response from various cell types, including immune cells and MSCs, which secrete bioactive molecules that promote tissue regeneration and modulate inflammation. Despite their promise, challenges such as variability in MSC sources, ethical considerations, regulatory restrictions, and obstacles in achieving effective delivery and retention at fracture sites restrict their clinical application. Recent advancements in MSC-based therapies, including innovative biomaterials, three-dimensional bioprinting, and gene editing technologies, aim to improve the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs. In addition, strategies to rejuvenate aged MSCs and enhance their regenerative capabilities are critical for addressing age-related fractures, as the functionality of MSCs declines with age. Understanding the mechanisms underlying MSC action, including their paracrine signaling and interaction with the bone microenvironment, is essential for optimizing their therapeutic use. Addressing existing limitations in MSC research and application provides a comprehensive perspective on the future of MSC therapies in bone repair. This review discusses the transformative potential of MSCs in regenerative medicine and orthopedics, highlighting the need for further research to unlock their full capabilities and improve clinical outcomes in patients with bone injuries.
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spelling doaj-art-68409b5df16645dc8da6f7f87fd0d71f2025-08-20T02:34:50ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology2296-41852025-05-011310.3389/fbioe.2025.15689141568914Challenges and future perspectives in using mesenchymal stem cells for efficient bone fracture healingDong HanWeiwei LiuJinpeng GongYupeng MaZhengwen SunMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) demonstrate considerable potential for enhancing bone fracture healing due to their multipotency and immunomodulatory properties. This review investigates the relationship between MSCs, the immune system, and the skeletal microenvironment, focusing on the roles of cytokines and signaling pathways in osteogenesis. The healing process of bone fractures is complex and involves a coordinated response from various cell types, including immune cells and MSCs, which secrete bioactive molecules that promote tissue regeneration and modulate inflammation. Despite their promise, challenges such as variability in MSC sources, ethical considerations, regulatory restrictions, and obstacles in achieving effective delivery and retention at fracture sites restrict their clinical application. Recent advancements in MSC-based therapies, including innovative biomaterials, three-dimensional bioprinting, and gene editing technologies, aim to improve the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs. In addition, strategies to rejuvenate aged MSCs and enhance their regenerative capabilities are critical for addressing age-related fractures, as the functionality of MSCs declines with age. Understanding the mechanisms underlying MSC action, including their paracrine signaling and interaction with the bone microenvironment, is essential for optimizing their therapeutic use. Addressing existing limitations in MSC research and application provides a comprehensive perspective on the future of MSC therapies in bone repair. This review discusses the transformative potential of MSCs in regenerative medicine and orthopedics, highlighting the need for further research to unlock their full capabilities and improve clinical outcomes in patients with bone injuries.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1568914/fullosteogenesisstem cell therapytissue regenerationbone fracturehealing process
spellingShingle Dong Han
Weiwei Liu
Jinpeng Gong
Yupeng Ma
Zhengwen Sun
Challenges and future perspectives in using mesenchymal stem cells for efficient bone fracture healing
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
osteogenesis
stem cell therapy
tissue regeneration
bone fracture
healing process
title Challenges and future perspectives in using mesenchymal stem cells for efficient bone fracture healing
title_full Challenges and future perspectives in using mesenchymal stem cells for efficient bone fracture healing
title_fullStr Challenges and future perspectives in using mesenchymal stem cells for efficient bone fracture healing
title_full_unstemmed Challenges and future perspectives in using mesenchymal stem cells for efficient bone fracture healing
title_short Challenges and future perspectives in using mesenchymal stem cells for efficient bone fracture healing
title_sort challenges and future perspectives in using mesenchymal stem cells for efficient bone fracture healing
topic osteogenesis
stem cell therapy
tissue regeneration
bone fracture
healing process
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1568914/full
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AT weiweiliu challengesandfutureperspectivesinusingmesenchymalstemcellsforefficientbonefracturehealing
AT jinpenggong challengesandfutureperspectivesinusingmesenchymalstemcellsforefficientbonefracturehealing
AT yupengma challengesandfutureperspectivesinusingmesenchymalstemcellsforefficientbonefracturehealing
AT zhengwensun challengesandfutureperspectivesinusingmesenchymalstemcellsforefficientbonefracturehealing