Here, authors develop a ligand-free strategy to mechanically activate cells in a hydrogel by utilizing a biorthogonal click reaction to form a covalent bond between azide-modified cellular integrins and the hydrogel. They then apply this strategy in vivo to show that the transmittance of mechanical stress using the hydrogel system promotes regeneration of skeletal muscle.
- Natsumi Ueda
- Hayato Okazaki
- Koji Nagahama