Key result
Gel-PDZC hydrogel improves cardiac function and electrical propagation in rat MI models via microenvironment remodeling.
Why the study?
Myocardial infarction creates a hostile microenvironment of oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis, and electrical conduction block that presents a multifaceted challenge for tissue repair.
Does the Gel-PDZC hydrogel improve myocardial interstitial microenvironment remodeling and cardiac functional recovery in a rat MI model?
Does the Gel-PDZC hydrogel improve myocardial interstitial microenvironment remodeling and cardiac functional recovery in a rat MI model?
An ANN-optimized, adhesive-electrocoupling hydrogel (Gel-PDZC) comprehensively remodeled the myocardial interstitial microenvironment and improved cardiac function in a rat MI model.
May advance preclinical MI repair strategies; leaves open clinical translation from Level 5 evidence.
Myocardial infarction (MI) creates a hostile microenvironment characterized by oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis, and electrical conduction block, posing a multifaceted challenge for tissue repair. To address this, we developed a multifunctional hydrogel (Gel‐PDZC), through an artificial neural network (ANN)‐guided optimization process, incorporating nanoparticles comprising a ZIF‐8@CaO 2 core for sustained oxygen release, a polydopamine (PDA) interlayer for adhesion and antioxidant activity, and a conductive poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) shell. The hydrogel exhibits a unique “adhesion‐electrocoupling” effect, where robust tissue adhesion facilitates a pseudocapacitive charge injection mechanism. This not only enables active electrical intervention in the avascular scar but also leverages the endogenous myocardial electric field to restore the hydrogel's antioxidant properties. In a rat MI model, the Gel‐PDZC hydrogel comprehensively remodeled the myocardial interstitial microenvironment. It alleviated hypoxia, reduced oxidative stress and apoptosis, suppressed pro‐inflammatory C‐C motif chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2 + ) macrophages recruitment and promoted electrical coupling between resident CCR2 − macrophages and cardiomyocytes (CMs), inhibited fibroblast‐to‐myofibroblast transition via the PI3K/AKT pathway, and stimulated angiogenesis. These coordinated cellular and molecular changes translated into substantial functional recovery, evidenced by restored epicardial electrical propagation, improved electromechanical coupling, and a significant increase in cardiac function. Our findings demonstrate that this ANN‐optimized, adhesive‐electrocoupling hydrogel provides a comprehensive and synergistic solution for repairing the infarcted heart.
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Jiang et al. (2026) studied Myocardial infarction. Gel-PDZC hydrogel was evaluated on Myocardial interstitial microenvironment remodeling and functional recovery. In a rat myocardial infarction model, the Gel-PDZC hydrogel remodeled the interstitial microenvironment, reduced oxidative stress, and significantly improved cardiac function and electrical propagation.
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