Beneficial but diverse influence of custom-designed hydrogels modified with IL-4 and SDF-1 peptides on selected populations of cells essential for skeletal muscle regeneration

Under specific circumstances, such as extensive injuries, the development of degenerative diseases, or aging, the naïve potential of skeletal muscle to regenerate may be limited. For this reason, different tools and approaches are being tested which could result in the improvement of skeletal muscle reconstruction. Among them are hydrogels, investigated also by us, additionally functionalized with fragments of proteins known to support skeletal muscle regeneration, i.e., stromal-derived factor 1 or interleukin 4. In the current study, we evaluated the impact of such custom-designed hydrogels on different human cells important for efficient muscle regeneration, i.e., myoblasts, crucial for myofiber reconstruction, fibroblasts, ensuring ECM formation, and endothelial cells, securing new vessel development in regenerated muscles. Our results indicate that hydrogels functionalized with SDF-1 and IL-4 peptides induce beneficial but diverse effects in analyzed cell types, influencing either their proliferation, migration, or differentiation. Most importantly, hydrogels tested by us do not harm analyzed cell types, indicating that in vivo skeletal muscle regeneration might be improved by them.