The mechanical strain as a cross-linking agent for skeletal muscle ECM-derived hydrogels.

ABSTRACT: Our research focuses on utilising decellularised extracellular matrix (ECM)-derived hydrogels to develop implants for repairing skeletal muscle defects. We investigate whether applying mechanical stimuli during the hydrogel reticulation phase enhances its biomechanical properties, aiming to achieve surface stiffness values closer to those of physiological tissue compared to conventional chemical cross-linking methods. The ECM-derived hydrogel is prepared and characterised in terms of surface stiffness and gelation kinetics. Before polymerisation, the ECM-derived solution is embedded with myogenic cells, and the final constructs are then obtained through a temperature-induced self-assembling mechanism. Two different modifications are alternatively added: genipin, a natural cross-linker, and

SUBMITTER: Merotto E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12765059 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature