ROS-responsive drug-releasing injectable microgels for ameliorating myocardial infarction

Biomaterials. 2024 Mar 16;307:122534. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122534. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTDespite of the recent advances in regulatory T cell (Treg) therapy, a limited number of available cells and specificity at the desired tissue site have severely compromised their efficacy. Herein, an injectable drug-releasing (MTK-TK-drug) microgel system in response to in situ stimulation by reactive oxygen species (ROS) was constructed with a coaxial capillary microfluidic system and UV curing. The spherical microgels with a size of 150 μm were obtained. The MTK-TK-drug microgels efficiently converted the pro-inflammatory Th17 cells into anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells (Treg) cells in vitro, and the ROS-scavenging materials synergistically enhanced the effect by modulating the inflammation microenvironment. Thus, the microgels significantly reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and decreased the inflammatory response in the early stages of post-myocardial infarction (MI) in vivo, thereby reducing fibrosis, promoting vascularization, and preserving cardiac function. Overall, our results indicate that the MTK-TK-drug microgels can attenuate the inflammatory response and improve MI therapeutic effects in vivo.PMID:38518589 | DOI:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122534
Source: Biomaterials - Category: Materials Science Authors: Source Type: research