An injectable nanofibrous hydrogel scaffold integrated with growth factors (GFs) loaded polysaccharide nanoparticles was developed that specifically allows for targeted adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) encapsulation and soft tissue engineering. The nanofibrous hydrogel was produced via biological conjugation of biotin-terminated star-shaped poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-Biotin) and streptavidin-functionalized hyaluronic acid (HA-Streptavidin). The polysaccharide nanoparticles were noncovalently assembled via electrostatic interactions between low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and N,N,N-trimethylchitosan chloride (TMC). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was entrapped in the LMWH/TMC nanoparticles by affinity interactions with LMWH.
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