Fig. 1.

Schematic study design. The 3D microgels embedded with hMSCs at low cell density were fabricated by using the microdispensing technique. Preconditioning microgels in vitro for 96 h modulated the paracrine release of hMSCs dependent on the macromolecular concentration. Further investigation into the integrin expression revealed a proangiogenic phenotype of hMSCs embedded in 2-mg⋅mL⁻¹ microgels. In vivo testing of 2-mg⋅mL⁻¹ microgels in a hindlimb ischemia model showed that high angiogenic activity and low inflammatory tissue response contributed to revascularization and reperfusion.