Clay nanoparticles, composites and hydrogels are emerging as a new class of biomaterial with exciting potential for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. Clay particles have been extensively explored in polymeric nanocomposites for self-assembly and enhanced mechanical properties as well as for their potential as drug delivery modifiers. In recent years, a cluster of studies have explored cellular interactions with clay nanoparticles alone or in combination with polymeric matrices. These pioneering studies have suggested new and unforeseen utility for certain clays as bioactive additives able to enhance cellular functions including adhesion, proliferation and differentiation, most notably for osteogenesis. This review examines the recent literature describing the potential effects of clay-based nanomaterials on cell function and examines the potential role of key clay physicochemical properties in influencing such interactions and their exciting possibilities for regenerative medicine.

粘土纳米颗粒，复合材料和水凝胶正在成为一类新型的生物材料，在组织工程和再生医学应用中具有令人兴奋的潜力。粘土颗粒已在聚合物纳米复合材料中得到广泛研究，以实现自组装和增强的机械性能以及它们作为药物传递改性剂的潜力。近年来，大量研究探索了与单独或与聚合物基质结合的粘土纳米颗粒的细胞相互作用。这些开创性研究表明，某些粘土作为生物活性添加剂具有新的和不可预见的用途，能够增强细胞功能，包括粘附，增殖和分化，最显着的是成骨作用。