Recent Advances in Nanomaterials for Modulation of Stem Cell Differentiation and Its Therapeutic Applications

Challenges in directed differentiation and survival limit the clinical use of stem cells despite their promising therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine. Nanotechnology has emerged as a powerful tool to address these challenges and enable precise control over stem cell fate. In particular, nanomaterials can mimic an extracellular matrix and provide specific cues to guide stem cell differentiation and proliferation in the field of nanotechnology. For instance, recent studies have demonstrated that nanostructured surfaces and scaffolds can enhance stem cell lineage commitment modulated by intracellular regulation and external stimulation, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, autophagy, or electrical stimulation. Furthermore, nanoframework-based and upconversion nanoparticles can be used to deliver bioactive molecules, growth factors, and genetic materials to facilitate stem cell differentiation and tissue regeneration. The increasing use of nanostructures in stem cell research has led to the development of new therapeutic approaches. Therefore, this review provides an overview of recent advances in nanomaterials for modulating stem cell differentiation, including metal-, carbon-, and peptide-based strategies. In addition, we highlight the potential of these nano-enabled technologies for clinical applications of stem cell therapy by focusing on improving the differentiation efficiency and therapeutics. We believe that this review will inspire researchers to intensify their efforts and deepen their understanding, thereby accelerating the development of stem cell differentiation modulation, therapeutic applications in the pharmaceutical industry, and stem cell therapeutics.