Novel fabrication of macromolecular multi-functional hydrogel encapsulated with HUCB-derived mesenchymal stem cells to effective regeneration of cardiac repair after acute myocardial infarction

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been treated via injectable hydrogels and biomaterial patches invented using tissue engineering advancements over the past decade. Yet the curative potential of injectable hydrogels and stem cells is limited. Here, we propose the development of an injectable and conductive hydrogel composed of oxidised macromolecular hyaluronic acid and chitosan-grafted aniline tetramer polymeric components. In an attempt to enhance the therapeutic potential of AMI therapy, mesenchymal stem cells derived from human umbilical cord blood (HUCB-MSC) have been integrated into the formulation of a conductive hydrogel. For reliable connection to the beating hearts, the hydrogel exhibited suitable adhesive properties. Hydrogel’s potent biocompatibility was determined by in vitro investigations of cell viability and proliferation of NRCMs and H9C2 cardiomyocytes. After myocardial injection, longer HUCB-MSCs survival length, cardiac functioning, and histology in SD rat myocardium were demonstrated, greatly associated by up-regulation and downregulation of cardiac-related relative gene expressions of angiogenic factors and inflammatory factors, respectively. The injectable hydrogel that contained HUCB-MSCs substantially enhanced the therapeutic benefits, indicating a potentially beneficial therapeutic approach to AMI therapy.