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Updated: Apr 16, 2026
Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
Acellular implantable and injectable hydrogels for vascular regeneration
Michael R Blatchley1, Sharon Gerecht
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
Hydrogel technologies offer controlled delivery of growth factors for therapeutic angiogenesis, addressing limitations of traditional injections. Future advancements focus on spatial-temporal control and upstream environmental factors for enhanced vascular regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Therapeutic angiogenesis aims to treat vascular disorders like peripheral artery disease and coronary artery disease.
- Limitations of growth factor injections include short half-lives and poor systemic control.
- Hydrogel technologies have emerged to provide controlled, local delivery of pro-angiogenic factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the development of hydrogel technologies for controlled delivery of angiogenic factors.
- To discuss the importance of spatial and temporal control in growth factor release for therapeutic angiogenesis.
- To explore the role of the microenvironment and upstream factors in regulating angiogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Review of hydrogel technologies for growth factor conjugation and controlled release.
- Analysis of physical microenvironmental factors (e.g., stiffness, degradability) in vascular morphogenesis.
- Investigation of hydrogels designed to influence upstream factors like hypoxia to trigger angiogenesis.
Main Results:
- Hydrogels enable localized, controlled release of multiple growth factors, overcoming limitations of bolus injections.
- Decoupling physical and biological factors in hydrogels enhances understanding of vascular morphogenesis.
- Hydrogels influencing upstream factors like hypoxia show potential for more robust angiogenic responses.
Conclusions:
- Effective therapeutic angiogenesis requires precise spatial and temporal control over growth factor delivery.
- Modulating the microenvironment, including upstream factors, is crucial for robust neovascularization.
- Novel hydrogel systems hold significant therapeutic potential for vascular disorders by optimizing angiogenic signaling.
