Engineered Hypoxic Niches and Cell-Tethering Colloidal Gels Enhance MSC Paracrine Productivity and Promote Vascular Regeneration
발표자
이재서 (경희대학교)
연구책임자
이재서 (경희대학교)
초록
내용
Microporous hydrogels are widely used for therapeutic cell delivery but often suffer from harsh pathological environments and rapid cell escape. To overcome these issues, cell-tethering and hypoxic conditioning colloidal hydrogels encapsulating mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were developed. Tyramine-conjugated gelatin forms oxidative phenolic crosslinks on cell surfaces, preventing egression and providing mechanical cues via microporous networks. Oxygen-releasing microparticles embedded in the hydrogels continuously generated oxygen for two weeks, sustaining mild hypoxia even under oxygen-deprived conditions. This environment enhanced MSC viability and paracrine secretion of angiogenic factors. In vivo, the hydrogels reduced inflammation and apoptosis while promoting vascularization. In a mouse hindlimb ischemia model, the MSC-tethered hydrogels significantly improved blood flow recovery and muscle regeneration, demonstrating their potential for ischemic tissue repair.