(A) Hydrogels were formed via Michael type addition of cysteine containing RGD and MMP-degradable peptides (GCRD-GPQG↓IWGQ-DRCG and GCRD-VPMS↓MRGG-DRCG, cleavage at ↓) with 4-arm PEG vinyl sulfone. Gels are susceptible to MMP-mediated degradation but not hydrolysis. (B) Hydrogels were polymerized, swollen, and their mechanical properties tested shear rheology. All gels tested contain 500 μM RGD. * Significantly different from 3.5% G. # Significantly different from 3.5% V. p < 0.05, 1-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post-tests. (C) Volumetric swelling ratios of equilibrated acellular gels. * Significantly different from 3.5% G. # Significantly different from 3.5% V. p < 0.05, 1-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post-tests. (D) Swelling ratios of hydrogels containing cells changed significantly (indicated with *) from day 1 to 14 in 3.5% and 5% V gels. p < 0.05, 2-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post-tests.