Injectable ROS-Scavenging Hydrogel With MSCs Promoted the Regeneration of Damaged Skeletal Muscle

Abstract

Skeletal muscle injury is accompanied by inflammation, which is common in clinical practice. To data, there is no effective method to promote skeletal muscle regeneration. Here, we develop an ROS-scavenging hydrogels loaded with MSCs (Gel@MSCs), which offer a new strategy for modulating the local inflammatory microenvironment and improve the ability of skeletal muscle repair. The therapeutic scaffold consisting of ROS-degradable hydrogel could be injected into the injured site of skeletal muscle while MSCs contribute to new myofiber formation. We found that ROS-degradable hydrogel improved the survive and of MSCs ability of MSCs. Gel@MSCs inhibited the production of inflammatory factors by promoting polarization of M2 macrophages. In addition, it promoted the expression of genes and proteins related to myogenesis in MSCs. The ROS scavenged by hydrogels further reduced the inflammatory responses. We demonstrated that regeneration of damaged muscle tissue is achieved by local treatment of Gel@MSCs, due to the activated myogenic ability, increased M2 macrophages and reduced inflammatative environment.