Thermogel is an aqueous polymer solution that undergoes sol-to-gel transition as the temperature increases. Cells, growth factors, and signaling molecules can be incorporated simultaneously during the sol-to-gel transition. The cytocompatible procedure makes the thermogel an excellent platform for 3D culture of stem cells. This review focuses on the crucial questions that need to be addressed to achieve effective differentiation of stem cells into target cells, comprising low modulus, cell adhesion, and controlled supply of the growth factors. Recent progress in the use of thermogel as a 3D culture system of stem cells is summarized, and our perspectives on designing a new thermogel for 3D culture and its eventual application to injectable tissue engineering of stem cells are presented.

热凝胶是一种聚合物水溶液，随着温度的升高会经历溶胶-凝胶转变。细胞，生长因子和信号分子可以在溶胶-凝胶转变过程中同时掺入。细胞相容性程序使热凝胶成为干细胞3D培养的绝佳平台。这篇综述集中于实现干细胞有效分化为靶细胞所需要解决的关键问题，包括低模量，细胞粘附和生长因子的受控供应。总结了将热凝胶用作干细胞的3D培养系统的最新进展，并提出了我们在设计用于3D培养的新型热凝胶及其在干细胞的可注射组织工程中的最终应用的观点。