Granular polyrotaxane microgels as injectable hydrogels for corneal tissue regeneration

Hydrogel biomaterials in the form of corneal implants for tissue regeneration, while promising, have faced obstacles related to cellular and tissue integration. This study develops and investigates the potential of granular polyrotaxane (GPR) hydrogels as a scaffold for corneal keratocyte growth and transparent tissue generation.

Employing host–guest driven supramolecular interactions, we developed injectable, cytocompatible hydrogels. By optimizing cyclodextrin (CD) concentrations in thiol–ene crosslinked PEG microgels, we observed improved mechanical properties and thermoresponsiveness while preserving injectability. These microgels, adaptable for precise defect filling, 3D printing or tissue culture facilitate enhanced cellular integration with corneal keratocytes and exhibit tissue-like structures in culture.