In vitro Bone Tissue Engineering Strategies: The Relevance of Cells and Culturing Methods in Bone Formation and Remodeling

The most recent advances in bone tissue engineering (BTE) approaches step
forward in the field of three-dimensional (3D) tissue models, enabling the
development of more realistic tools to study bone disorders, such as
osteoporosis. BTE field aims to mimic native bone tissue more truthfully,
providing an appropriate environment for tissue regeneration and repair
through the combination of 3D porous scaffolds, specific growth factors, and
cells. Currently, the scientific community is focused on developing and
improving new biomaterials that in combination with growth factors and
specific cell types, that can accurately emulate the native bone
microenvironment. However, most of the reported studies in the BTE field are
focused on bone formation, disregarding the entire bone remodeling steps,
which also involve bone resorption. In this review, the currently available
mono and co-culturing methods, types of biomaterials used in several
strategies that combine scaffolds and relevant cells (e.g., osteoblasts (OBs),
osteoclasts (OCs), and osteocytes (OCys)), envisioning a healthy bone
formation and remodeling process, the gold-standard drug delivery systems,
and bioengineered-based systems to tackle bone diseases are described.