Hydrogels for Skeletal Muscle Regeneration: Design, Fabrication, and Future Applications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Skeletal Muscle Biology

Background:

• Skeletal muscle is vital for metabolic homeostasis, but injuries like volumetric muscle loss (VML) impair regeneration.
• Current clinical treatments for VML are limited, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches.
• Hydrogels present tunable properties ideal for modulating the regenerative microenvironment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of hydrogels for skeletal muscle regeneration.
• To examine design principles, fabrication strategies, and translational considerations for hydrogel therapies.
• To address challenges in the clinical translation of hydrogel-based treatments for VML.

Main Methods:

• Systematic investigation of hydrogel design principles and fabrication techniques.
• Analysis of advanced functionalities including electroactivity, immunomodulation, and spatiotemporal delivery.
• Review of state-of-the-art methods like 3D bioprinting and electrospinning.
• Assessment of clinical translation challenges: preclinical limitations, scalability, manufacturability, regulatory affairs, and safety.

Main Results:

• Hydrogels can be engineered with specific properties to support muscle regeneration.
• Advanced fabrication techniques enable sophisticated hydrogel designs for enhanced therapeutic effects.
• Significant challenges exist in translating hydrogel therapies from preclinical studies to clinical application.

Conclusions:

• Hydrogels represent a promising therapeutic strategy for severe skeletal muscle injuries.
• Addressing translational challenges is crucial for the successful clinical implementation of hydrogel-based VML treatments.
• This review offers insights into developing next-generation hydrogel therapies by integrating muscle biology and materials science.