Granular hydrogels have recently emerged as promising biomaterials for tissue engineering and 3D-printing applications, addressing the limitations of bulk hydrogels while exhibiting desirable properties such as injectability and high porosity. However, their structural stability can be improved with post-injection interparticle cross-linking. In this study, we developed granular hydrogels with interparticle cross-linking through reversible and dynamic covalent bonds. We fragmented photo-cross-linked bulk hydrogels to produce aldehyde or hydrazide-functionalized microgels using chondroitin sulfate. Mixing these microgels facilitated interparticle cross-linking through reversible hydrazone bonds, providing shear-thinning and self-healing properties for injectability and 3D printing. The resulting granular hydrogels displayed high mechanical stability without the need for secondary cross-linking. Furthermore, the porosity and sustained release of growth factors from these hydrogels synergistically enhanced cell recruitment. Our study highlights the potential of reversible interparticle cross-linking for designing injectable and 3D printable therapeutic delivery scaffolds using granular hydrogels. Overall, our study highlights the potential of reversible interparticle cross-linking to improve the structural stability of granular hydrogels, making them an effective biomaterial for use in tissue engineering and 3D-printing applications.
Keywords: biomaterials; drug delivery; injectable; microgels; regenerative medicine.