ACS biomaterials science & engineeringSep 9, 2025

Designing an Injectable Support That Better Mimics Natural Tissue for Delivering Cells and Repairing Tissue

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Updated Jan 6, 2026

Abstract

CHyCoGel, a novel injectable hydrogel scaffold, supports high cell viability and promotes significant wound healing.

CHyCoGel is composed of chitosan, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and an amphiphilic stabilizer.
Primary dermal fibroblasts isolated from neonatal rat skin exhibit well-organized cytoskeletal structures when grafted into CHyCoGel.
Gene modulation related to tissue remodeling is observed, including increased expression of α-SMA, fibronectin, Col1A1, and TGF-β.
Application of PDF-loaded CHyCoGel enhances wound healing, epithelialization, and the regeneration of skin appendages.
CHyCoGel promotes angiogenesis by upregulating VEGF and supports balanced remodeling through enhanced type I collagen expression.

Simplified

The development of biomimetic scaffolds that emulate the (ECM) is critical for advancing cell-based therapies and tissue regeneration. This study reports the formulation of CHyCoGel, a novel injectable, ECM-mimetic hydrogel scaffold composed of chitosan, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and an amphiphilic stabilizer. CHyCoGel addresses key limitations of existing scaffolds, offering improved structural uniformity, injectability, andgelation suitable for cell encapsulation and minimally invasive delivery. Primary dermal fibroblasts (PDFs) isolated from neonatal rat skin were grafted into CHyCoGel, which supported high cell viability, well-organized cytoskeletal structures, and modulation of genes involved in tissue remodeling, including α-SMA, fibronectin, Col1A1, and TGF-β.application of PDF-loaded CHyCoGel significantly enhanced wound healing, epithelialization, and the regeneration of skin appendages. Notably, CHyCoGel promoted angiogenesis by upregulating VEGF and facilitated balanced ECM remodeling through enhanced type I collagen expression with reduced total collagen accumulation. These findings highlight CHyCoGel's potential as a cytocompatible, bioactive scaffold capable of directing reparative cellular behavior and promoting structurally and functionally integrated tissue regeneration, particularly in chronic and complex wound settings. in situ In vivo

Key numbers

Wound Closure Rate Increase

Total healing score for group in histological scoring.

39.3 ± 5.3

Collagen I Expression

Collagen I levels in skin tissue from -treated wounds.

100%

PDF Viability

Cell viability of grafted PDFs in after 72 hours.

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Designing an Injectable Support That Better Mimics Natural Tissue for Delivering Cells and Repairing Tissue

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