Dudun AA, Bonartseva GA, Bonartsev AP. Enhancing mesenchymal stem cell function with epiregulin in tissue engineering: From tissue regeneration to gut microbiota modulation. World J Stem Cells 2026; 18(7): 119865 [DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.119865]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Anton P Bonartsev, PhD, Associate Professor, Faculty of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, Bld 12, Moscow 119234, Russia. ant_bonar@mail.ru
Research Domain of This Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
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review-article
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Dudun AA, Bonartseva GA, Bonartsev AP. Enhancing mesenchymal stem cell function with epiregulin in tissue engineering: From tissue regeneration to gut microbiota modulation. World J Stem Cells 2026; 18(7): 119865 [DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.119865]
World J Stem Cells. Jul 26, 2026; 18(7): 119865 Published online Jul 26, 2026. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.119865
Enhancing mesenchymal stem cell function with epiregulin in tissue engineering: From tissue regeneration to gut microbiota modulation
Andrei A Dudun, Garina A Bonartseva, Anton P Bonartsev
Andrei A Dudun, Garina A Bonartseva, Anton P Bonartsev, A.N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
Anton P Bonartsev, Faculty of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119234, Russia
Author contributions: Bonartsev AP designed the study; Dudun AA, Bonartseva GA, and Bonartsev AP performed the research and reviewed and edited the manuscript; Dudun AA and Bonartsev AP wrote the original draft; all authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
AI contribution statement: AI was not used in the preparation, writing, editing, or revision of this manuscript.
Supported by the Russian Science Foundation (No. 25-26-00587).
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Anton P Bonartsev, PhD, Associate Professor, Faculty of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, Bld 12, Moscow 119234, Russia. ant_bonar@mail.ru
Received: February 12, 2026 Revised: April 23, 2026 Accepted: June 3, 2026 Published online: July 26, 2026 Processing time: 165 Days and 22.1 Hours
Abstract
Epiregulin (EREG), a ligand of the epidermal growth factor receptor, has emerged as a potent modulator of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) function, particularly in inflammatory conditions. Recent evidence indicates that EREG signaling significantly enhances the migration, chemotaxis, and lineage-specific differentiation of MSCs, overcoming critical barriers to cell survival and engraftment in hostile microenvironments. This review summarizes recent advances in the synergistic application of EREG and MSCs in various tissue engineering applications, such as bone, skin, liver, and intestinal regeneration. We discuss the context-dependent nature of EREG activity and emerging biomaterial-based delivery strategies. We also explore the underappreciated role of the gut microbiota as a systemic regulator of EREG expression and a dynamic biomarker of therapeutic efficacy. By integrating mechanistic insights with translational prospects, we outline how EREG-primed MSC therapies can be optimized for clinical implementation in complex regenerative settings.
Core Tip: Epiregulin enhances the migration, chemotaxis, and osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells under inflammatory conditions and can be used to treat various diseases associated with inflammation. In this opinion review, we discuss the prospects of using epiregulin to enhance the function of mesenchymal stem cells in tissue engineering applications, including bone, skin, liver, and intestinal regeneration, as well as gut microbiota modulation.
