Functionalization of viscoelastic gels with decellularized extracellular matrix microparticles enhances tissue adhesion, cell spreading, and tissue regeneration

Abstract

The natural extracellular matrix (ECM) is viscoelastic and fibrous, which are crucial characteristics for controlling cellular responses. In contrast, synthetic gels are mostly elastic and less effective at promoting mechanotransduction. Thus, the design of gels that provide mechanical and biochemical cues for tissue regeneration needs to be explored. In this study, we aimed to develop viscoelastic gels functionalized with decellularized ECM (dECM) microparticles for tissue regeneration. The incorporation of dECM microparticles into gels improved not only the tissue adhesive properties of the gels but also their viscoelasticity. The modulation of the mechanical properties of the gels elicited cell adhesion and spreading. Moreover, the functionalization of viscoelastic gels with dECM microparticles promoted tissue regeneration in volumetric muscle-loss models. This approach would be a powerful method because functional scaffolds with sufficient mechanical and biological properties facilitate tissue regeneration.