Materials science offers a powerful tool to control mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) growth and differentiation into functional phenotypes. A complex interplay between the extracellular matrix and growth factors guides MSC phenotypes in vivo. In this Review, we discuss materials-based bioengineering approaches to direct MSC fate in vitro and in vivo, mimicking cell–matrix–growth factor crosstalk. We first scrutinize MSC–matrix interactions and how the properties of a material can be tailored to support MSC growth and differentiation in vitro, with an emphasis on MSC self-renewal mechanisms. We then highlight important growth factor signalling pathways and investigate various materials-based strategies for growth factor presentation and delivery. Integrin–growth factor crosstalk in the context of MSC engineering is introduced, and bioinspired material designs with the potential to control the MSC niche phenotype are considered. Finally, we summarize important milestones on the road to MSC engineering for regenerative medicine.

材料科学提供了控制间充质干细胞（MSC）生长和分化为功能性表型的强大工具。细胞外基质与生长因子之间的复杂相互作用指导体内MSC表型。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了基于材料的生物工程方法，以在体外和体内指导MSC的命运，模仿细胞-基质-生长因子的串扰。我们首先研究MSC与基质的相互作用，以及如何定制材料的特性以支持MSC在体外的生长和分化。，重点是MSC自我更新机制。然后，我们重点介绍重要的生长因子信号通路，并研究各种基于材料的生长因子呈递和递送策略。介绍了整合蛋白-生长因子在MSC工程中的串扰，并考虑了有可能控制MSC生态位表型的生物启发性材料设计。最后，我们总结了MSC再生医学工程道路上的重要里程碑。