Basement membrane proteins are known to guide cell structures, differentiation, and tissue repair. Although there is a wealth of knowledge on the functions of laminins, perlecan, and type IV collagen in maintaining tissue homeostasis, not much is known about nidogen. As a key molecule in the basement membrane, nidogen contributes to the formation of a delicate microenvironment that proves necessary for stem cell lineage-specific differentiation. In this review, the expression of nidogen is delineated at both cellular and tissue levels from embryonic to adult stages of development; the effect of nidogens is also summarized in the context of musculoskeletal development and regeneration, including but not limited to adipogenesis, angiogenesis, chondrogenesis, myogenesis, and neurogenesis. Furthermore, potential mechanisms underlying the role of nidogens in stem cell-based tissue regeneration are also discussed. This concise review is expected to facilitate our existing understanding and utilization of nidogen in tissue engineering and regeneration.

已知基底膜蛋白可指导细胞结构、分化和组织修复。尽管关于层粘连蛋白、珠光素聚糖和 IV 型胶原蛋白在维持组织稳态方面的功能有丰富的知识，但对巢蛋白知之甚少。作为基底膜中的关键分子，巢穴有助于形成精致的微环境，证明干细胞谱系特异性分化是必需的。在这篇综述中，巢蛋白的表达在从胚胎到成年发育阶段的细胞和组织水平上被描述；在肌肉骨骼发育和再生的背景下也总结了巢穴生成素的作用，包括但不限于脂肪生成、血管生成、软骨生成、肌生成和神经生成。此外，还讨论了巢穴在基于干细胞的组织再生中作用的潜在机制。这篇简明的综述有望促进我们对巢蛋白在组织工程和再生中的现有理解和利用。