In contrast to non-mammalian vertebrates, mammals and humans have limited innate capacity for the self-regeneration of tissues and organs owing to differences in genetics, development, immune systems and tissue complexity. Endogenous stem cells are tissue-specific adult stem cells with the capacity to self-renew and differentiate into specific cell types. Therefore, endogenous stem cells are being explored for the regeneration of tissues in situ and in vivo. Stem cells reside in specific niches in the body, and stem cell activation depends on progressive changes in the niche. Niches are specific and instructive microenvironments that can be recreated using biomaterial-based scaffolds. Such scaffolds can be fabricated into a variety of shapes and formulations, and they can be functionalized with biochemical and biophysical cues to guide stem cell fate and migration. In this Review, we discuss important differences in the self-regeneration abilities of non-mammalian vertebrates and mammals, including humans, and investigate adult stem cell populations and their niches involved in tissue repair and regeneration. We highlight natural and synthetic biomaterials and their potential for improving applications of endogenous stem cells and examine the role of interspecies chimaeras in regenerative medicine.

与非哺乳动物脊椎动物相反，由于遗传，发育，免疫系统和组织复杂性方面的差异，哺乳动物和人类的组织和器官自我再生的先天能力有限。内源性干细胞是组织特异性的成年干细胞，具有自我更新和分化成特定细胞类型的能力。因此，正在探索内源性干细胞用于原位和体内组织的再生。干细胞位于体内特定的壁ni中，而干细胞的活化取决于小生境中的进行性变化。生态位是可以使用基于生物材料的支架重建的特定且具有指导意义的微环境。这样的支架可以制成各种形状和配方，它们可以利用生化和生物物理线索进行功能化，以指导干细胞的命运和迁移。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了非哺乳动物脊椎动物和哺乳动物（包括人类）的自我再生能力的重要差异，并研究了成年干细胞种群及其参与组织修复和再生的生态位。我们重点介绍天然和合成生物材料及其在改善内源性干细胞应用方面的潜力，并研究种间嵌合体在再生医学中的作用。