A sugar-responsive dynamic biointerface for the regulation of cell adhesion and macrophage polarization behavior

Here we report a new strategy for the functionalization of soft polyacrylamide (PAM) hydrogels with a sugar-responsive dynamic biointerface, offering a more accurate mimicry of the cellular microenvironment for cell dynamic adhesion and macrophage polarization. This dynamic platform shows the potential for recapitulating the physiological stiffness of various human tissues, enabling the modulation of cell behaviors through a natural biofeedback mechanism. • A sugar-responsive hydrogel biointerface was developed using phenylboronic acid-diol dynamic bonds. • The platform enables reversible cell adhesion and detachment regulated by physiological sugar fluctuations. • Soft hydrogel substrates replicate native tissue mechanics to support natural cell-ECM interactions. • The system modulates macrophage polarization from pro-inflammatory (M1) to anti-inflammatory (M2) states. • Biomimetic, stiffness-tunable platform enables biofeedback-driven regulation of cell behavior for biomedical applications.