Editorial: Cells, biomaterials, and biophysical stimuli for bone, cartilage, and muscle regeneration

Over the last few years, a variety of Tissue Engineering strategies have been developed to improve the regeneration of bone, cartilage, and skeletal muscle. Numerous studies have proven that physical factors (e.g., external forces, electromagnetic waves, electric fields, ultrasounds, lasers, fluid flow shear stresses, mechanical vibrations, mechanical deformations, and biomaterials’ features), as well as biochemical factors, may induce cells to reprogram their functions and dynamically adapt to the microenvironment conditions. In this context, many efforts are dedicated to engineer the biomaterial scaffolds, the physical stimuli, and the biochemical cues to whom the mammalian cells respond in terms of proliferation, differentiation, and production of extracellular matrix. Effective regeneration of bone, cartilage, and skeletal muscle defects often presents significant challenges, particularly in patients with decreased tissue regeneration ability due to extensive trauma, diseases, or aging.