Contactless magnetically responsive injectable hydrogel for aligned tissue regeneration

The study focuses on creating a new type of injectable hydrogel that can be controlled using magnets to help regenerate damaged tissues. This hydrogel is designed to mimic the natural environment of cells, promoting their growth and alignment, which is crucial for tissue repair. The hydrogel is made from a mix of natural materials, including gellan gum, hyaluronic acid, collagen, and magnetic nanoparticles. The collagen is combined with magnetic nanoparticles to form magnetic collagen bundles, which can be aligned using a magnetic field. The researchers tested the hydrogel in the lab and in animals, finding that it is not toxic and does not cause inflammation. The hydrogel also promoted cell growth and the activation of immune cells that help with tissue repair. The animal studies showed that the hydrogel can be easily injected and forms a gel quickly at the injection site.

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  The hydrogel exhibits mechanical properties comparable to human soft tissues, such as skeletal muscle, suggesting its suitability for tissue engineering applications.
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  In vitro studies confirmed the absence of toxicity and pro-inflammatory effects, with increased fibroblast cell proliferation and pro-regenerative activation of macrophages observed.
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  In vivo studies validated the hydrogel's biocompatibility and demonstrated the feasibility of injection with rapid in situ gelation, indicating its potential for minimally invasive tissue regeneration.