Neutrophil Granulopoiesis Optimized Through Ex Vivo Expansion of Hematopoietic Progenitors in Engineered 3D Gelatin Methacrylate Hydrogels

Neutrophils are the first line of defense of the innate immune system. In response to methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in the skin, hematopoietic stem, and progenitor cells (HSPCs) traffic to wounds and undergo extramedullary granulopoiesis, producing neutrophils necessary to resolve the infection. This prompted the engineering of a gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogel that encapsulates HSPCs within a matrix amenable to subcutaneous delivery. The authors study the influence of hydrogel mechanical properties to produce an artificial niche for granulocyte‐monocyte progenitors (GMPs) to efficiently expand into functional neutrophils that can populate infected tissue. Lin‐cKIT+ HSPCs, harvested from fluorescent neutrophil reporter mice, are encapsulated in GelMA hydrogels of varying polymer concentration and UV‐crosslinked to produce HSPC‐laden gels of specific stiffness and mesh sizes. Softer 5% GelMA gels yield the most viable progenitors and effective cell‐matrix interactions. Compared to suspension culture, 5% GelMA results in a twofold expansion of mature neutrophils that retain antimicrobial functions including degranulation, phagocytosis, and ROS production. When implanted dermally in C57BL/6J mice, luciferase‐expressing neutrophils expanded in GelMA hydrogels are visualized at the site of implantation for over 5 days. They demonstrate the potential of GelMA hydrogels for delivering HSPCs directly to the site of skin infection to promote local granulopoiesis. This study establishes that encapsulating hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in soft gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogels boosts neutrophil production twofold compared to suspension cultures, preserving antimicrobial functions. Gel delivery of neutrophils in vivo and localization of their function at the implantation site is demonstrated, indicating the potential of GelMA as an artificial niche for enhanced neutrophil production and delivery.