Harnessing Bioactive Ceramic for Organoid Engineering: Mechanisms, Applications, and Prospects in Regenerative Medicine

Organoids are three-dimensional, stem-cell-derived tissue constructs that recapitulate the architecture and function of native organs, and they have rapidly emerged as transformative tools in regenerative medicine. Their translation from laboratory models to clinical therapies remains constrained, however, by the limitations of conventional culture matrices. Matrigel is the most widely used matrix. It suffers from batch-to-batch variability, an undefined composition, poor mechanical tunability, and a lack of instructive bioactivity. Bioactive ceramics offer a compelling alternative. Encompassing silicate-, phosphate-, and oxide-based formulations, these materials provide controllable ion-release profiles and structural versatility. They also possess a proven capacity to modulate cell behavior through biochemical and biophysical cues. This review systematically examines how the defining properties of bioactive ceramics intersect with the requirements of organoid formation, maturation, and transplantation. We focus on four key properties: ion release, surface bioactivity, mechanical support, and immunomodulation. We survey established and emerging combinations across bone, liver, intestine, biliary, and thyroid organoid systems. Fabrication strategies, including 3D-printed and sol–gel-derived ceramic scaffolds, are also discussed. Finally, we critically assess remaining challenges in vascularization, immune compatibility, and clinical scale-up, and we propose that the deliberate co-design of bioactive ceramics and organoid biology represents a paradigm shift in regenerative medicine. This approach offers a path toward functional, transplantable tissue constructs with genuine therapeutic potential.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Organoids
Published
2026-08-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/organoids5030026
Primary Topic
Liver physiology and pathology
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Harnessing Bioactive Ceramic for Organoid Engineering: Mechanisms, Applications, and Prospects in Regenerative Medicine

Hongxu Lu, Mingxia Lu, Wenping Ma, Sixuan Chen et al.
Organoids
Liver physiology and pathology
article

Harnessing Bioactive Ceramic for Organoid Engineering: Mechanisms, Applications, and Prospects in Regenerative Medicine

Hongxu Lu, Mingxia Lu, Wenping Ma, Sixuan Chen, Jun Xu, Shihan Sun
article en

Abstract

Organoids are three-dimensional, stem-cell-derived tissue constructs that recapitulate the architecture and function of native organs, and they have rapidly emerged as transformative tools in regenerative medicine. Their translation from laboratory models to clinical therapies remains constrained, however, by the limitations of conventional culture matrices. Matrigel is the most widely used matrix. It suffers from batch-to-batch variability, an undefined composition, poor mechanical tunability, and a lack of instructive bioactivity. Bioactive ceramics offer a compelling alternative. Encompassing silicate-, phosphate-, and oxide-based formulations, these materials provide controllable ion-release profiles and structural versatility. They also possess a proven capacity to modulate cell behavior through biochemical and biophysical cues. This review systematically examines how the defining properties of bioactive ceramics intersect with the requirements of organoid formation, maturation, and transplantation. We focus on four key properties: ion release, surface bioactivity, mechanical support, and immunomodulation. We survey established and emerging combinations across bone, liver, intestine, biliary, and thyroid organoid systems. Fabrication strategies, including 3D-printed and sol–gel-derived ceramic scaffolds, are also discussed. Finally, we critically assess remaining challenges in vascularization, immune compatibility, and clinical scale-up, and we propose that the deliberate co-design of bioactive ceramics and organoid biology represents a paradigm shift in regenerative medicine. This approach offers a path toward functional, transplantable tissue constructs with genuine therapeutic potential.

OrganoidsVol. 5(3)
Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital (CN), The Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (CN), Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital (CN), Shanghai Institute of Ceramics (CN), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 11%
Liver physiology and pathology
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.