A novel chitosan–fibrin (CF) injectable, self-healing hydrogel (modulus ~1.2 kPa) is developed. The CF hydrogel has excellent self-healing properties and induces vascular endothelial cells to form capillary-like structure. The self-healing and angiogenic capacities are associated with the interpenetrating network structure of the hydrogel. The hydrogel degrades ~70% in 2 weeks. Injection of the CF hydrogel alone can promote angiogenesis in the perivitelline space of zebrafish and rescue the blood circulation in ischemic hindlimbs of mice. This biomimetic hydrogel has potential applications in vascular repair.
- Fu-Yu Hsieh
- Lei Tao
- Shan-hui Hsu
