IGF-1C domain-modified chitosan hydrogel accelerates cutaneous wound healing by promoting angiogenesis

Complete regeneration after skin injury remains a critical clinical challenge. Hydrogels, modified with growth factors or mimicking peptides, have been applied for functional tissue regeneration by increasing the bioactivity of engineered matrices. We synthesized an injectable biological hydrogel, C domain of IGF-1 (IGF-1C)-modified chitosan (CS–IGF-1C) hydrogel. Mouse model of cutaneous wound healing was established to investigate whether this hydrogel could promote wound healing. Our results demonstrated that CS–IGF-1C hydrogel exhibited superior proangiogenic effects, resulting in accelerated wound closure and improved extracellular matrix remodeling. Bioluminescence imaging and histology analysis confirmed the proangiogenic role of CS–IGF-1C hydrogel. CS–IGF-1C hydrogel could accelerate cutaneous wound healing by stimulating angiogenesis.