Hydrogel Crosslinking Modulates Macrophages, Fibroblasts, And Their Communication During Wound Healing

The study investigates how varying the crosslinking density of GelMA hydrogels affects wound healing in murine skin wounds by modulating macrophage and fibroblast behavior. Lightly crosslinked GelMA (lo-GelMA) promotes better cellular integration, reduced inflammation, and smaller scar sizes, while highly crosslinked GelMA (hi-GelMA) induces stronger inflammatory responses and larger scars. The findings suggest that softer, more porous hydrogels (lo-GelMA) are more beneficial for wound healing by reducing fibrosis and promoting tissue repair, highlighting the importance of hydrogel properties in designing effective wound dressings.