Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41174641›Full record

ReviewStem cell research & therapy2025

Functionalized mesenchymal stem cells for enhanced bone regeneration: advances and challenges.

Wentao Huang, Chao Zhou, Yijun Yu, Shu Qin, Lin Chen, Hongming Lin, Songou Zhang, Linying Xia, Wenqing Liang

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Stem cell research & therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Wentao Huang *Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, China.
Chao Zhou *Department of Orthopedics, Daishan Guanghua Hospital, Zhoushan, 316000, Zhejiang, China.
Yijun Yu *Medical Research Center, Zhoushan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 355 Xinqiao Road, Dinghai District, Zhoushan, 316000, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Shu QinDepartment of Orthopedics, Zhoushan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 355 Xinqiao Road, Dinghai District, Zhoushan, 316000, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Lin ChenDepartment of Orthopedics, Zhoushan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 355 Xinqiao Road, Dinghai District, Zhoushan, 316000, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Hongming LinDepartment of Orthopedics, Zhoushan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 355 Xinqiao Road, Dinghai District, Zhoushan, 316000, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Songou ZhangSchool of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315000, Zhejiang, China.
Linying XiaMedical Research Center, Zhoushan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 355 Xinqiao Road, Dinghai District, Zhoushan, 316000, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China. xialinying1224@163.com.
Wenqing LiangJiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, China. liangwq@usx.edu.cn.

Funding

Medical and Health Research Project of Zhejiang Province 2025KY1804Research Fund Projects of The Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University 2024FSYYZZ14 to YJY, 2024FSYYZY34 to HMLScience and Technology Project of Zhoushan 2025C31060 to SQ, 2025C31079 to LC, 2024C31019 to LYXTraditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Projects of Zhejiang Province 2025ZR218Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China QN25H040001
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Bone fracture continues to pose a significant clinical challenge in regenerative medicine due to limited repair capacity and inadequate therapeutic options. Among the various therapeutic strategies, mesenchymal stem cells have shown strong potential due to their ability to promote bone formation, modulate inflammation, and migrate to injury sites. However, clinical outcomes have been limited by issues like low survival rates, poor integration, and non-specific distribution after transplantation. Functionalized mesenchymal cells enhanced through genetic, chemical, or material-based modifications have emerged as an advanced strategy to overcome these limitations and significantly improve bone regeneration. This review explores recent developments in the functionalization of stem cells to increase their bone-forming potential. It covers techniques of gene modification, preconditioning, nanoparticle integration, and scaffold-based delivery. The role of these engineered cells is in activating key pathways involved in bone repair, including bone morphogenetic proteins and Wnt signaling. Furthermore, the study highlights current delivery platforms, including injectable gels, printed scaffolds, and bioactive coatings that support targeted, sustained cell activity. Despite encouraging preclinical outcomes, unresolved challenges in manufacturing, immune compatibility, and regulatory pathways persist, prompting the exploration of emerging solutions like precision-engineered implants and artificial intelligence-driven design to guide the future of advanced bone regeneration therapies.

Indexed as

Bone RegenerationMesenchymal Stem CellsMesenchymal Stem Cell TransplantationAnimalsHumansRegenerative MedicineTissue EngineeringTissue ScaffoldsBone fracture healingMesenchymal stem cellsOsteogenesis

Identifiers

PMID41174641
PMCPMC12577075

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.