Catalyst-modulated hydrogel dynamics for decoupling viscoelasticity and directing macrophage fate for diabetic wound healing.

ABSTRACT: Dynamic hydrogels can regulate immune responses, but decoupling bond exchange kinetics from static mechanical properties remains challenging. Here, we present a catalyst-mediated strategy to independently tune hydrogel network dynamics without altering crosslinking density or stiffness. A reversible acylhydrazone-based hydrogel system was constructed using lysozyme and PEG, with 4-amino-DL-phenylalanine (4a-Phe) as a catalyst to modulate bond exchange rates. This strategy enables effective decoupling of hydrogel viscoelasticity, allowing precise modulation of stress relaxation rates (τ_1/2) from 50 to 15 min, while maintaining nearly identical storage moduli (G'). The impact of hydrogel network dynamics on macrophage behavior was systematically investigated. Hydrogels with enhanc

SUBMITTER: Mai Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12272615 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature