Microgel Aspect Ratio Influences Injectable Granular Hydrogel Scaffold Pore Structure and Cellular Invasion for Tissue Repair.

ABSTRACT: Granular hydrogels are emerging as an important class of scaffolds for biomedical applications, due to their injectability and pore structure to support cellular infiltration. Past research has primarily focused on spherical microgels, which allows limited control over granular hydrogel pore size and void volume fraction; however, investigation into microgels with higher aspect ratios has allowed even higher porosity. This study explores the impact of hyaluronic acid microgel aspect ratio (ranging from 3 to 5) on granular hydrogel porosity and cellular interactions. Both simulations and experimental results show increased void volume fractions and pore sizes in granular hydrogels formed from rod-like microgels when compared to volume-matched spherical microgels, which results in increased

SUBMITTER: Rodriguez-Rivera GJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12631905 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature