Inorganic nanomaterials have witnessed significant advances in areas of medicine including cancer therapy, imaging, and drug delivery, but their use in soft tissue repair and regeneration is in its infancy. Metallic, ceramic, and carbon allotrope nanoparticles have shown promise in facilitating tissue repair and regeneration. Inorganic nanomaterials have been employed to improve stem cell engraftment in cellular therapy, material mechanical stability in tissue repair, electrical conductivity in nerve and cardiac regeneration, adhesion strength in tissue approximation, and antibacterial capacity in wound dressings. These nanomaterials have also been used to improve or replace common surgical materials and restore functionality to damaged tissue. We provide a comprehensive overview of inorganic nanomaterials in tissue repair and regeneration, and discuss their promise and limitations for eventual translation to the clinic.
Keywords: antibacterial; carbon nanomaterials; cardiac repair; gold nanoparticles; inflammation; laser sealing; neural repair; tissue adhesives; wound healing.