Injectable In Situ Hydrogels for Regenerative Medicine Applications

Regenerative medicine (RM) is a field of study that helps repair or restore native tissue function which has lost its functionality due to chronic diseases and trauma. The regeneration process can be promoted by constructing biomimetic systems, which can support cellular growth and proliferation. In this regard, the development of injectable hydrogels has gained enormous attention in recent times. An arrangement of cells and bioactive molecules in the three-dimensional extracellular matrix created by injectable gels is favorable for the regeneration of damaged tissues. Ideally, the injectable hydrogel remains in the solution form before injection and rapidly undergoes gelation at the physiological condition. A high water content, mechanical strength, scope of improved functionalization, injectability, and ease of implantation make the injectable hydrogel an ideal candidate for tissue-specific repair. This chapter aims to concisely summarize the mechanism and recent fabrication advancement of the injectable hydrogel that is being used in RM applications. A vast number of injectable hydrogels have been discovered for bone, cartilage, skin, and cardiovascular tissue regeneration, which are discussed in detail in the chapter. In gist, it is expected that injectable hydrogels will become a promising tool for a variety of tissue repair applications shortly.

Keywords: Cross-linking, Gelation mechanism, Injectable hydrogels, Regenerative medicine, Tissue engineering.