GelMA - PVAMA hydrogel loaded with MYDGF accelerates wound healing by promoting angiogenesis

Angiogenesis within the wound site is a necessary prerequisite for skin tissue regeneration during the process of wound healing. Skin vessels provide adequate nutrients and soluble bioactive factors to the wounded area and remove metabolites. In this study, we prepared a double-cross-linked hydrogel based on GelMA and PVAMA to load Myeloid-derived growth factor (MYDGF). Additionally, we evaluated the healing-promoting effect of the hydrogel using a full-thickness skin injury mouse model. Compared with the control and MYDGF-free hydrogels, the MYDGF-loaded hydrogels significantly increased the percentage of wound healing and promoted granulation tissue proliferation and epidermization. In vitro experiments have shown that MYDGF may augment the migration and angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by upregulating the expression of phosphorylated ERK and phosphorylated P38. These findings indicate that MYDGF-loaded hydrogels promote wound healing by accelerating angiogenesis.