Designing Acellular Injectable Biomaterial Therapeutics for Treating Myocardial Infarction and Peripheral Artery Disease

As the number of global deaths attributed to cardiovascular disease continues to rise, viable treatments for cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction or conditions like peripheral artery disease are critical. Recent studies investigating injectable biomaterials have shown promise in promoting tissue regeneration and functional improvement, and in some cases, incorporating other therapeutics further augments the beneficial effects of these biomaterials. In this review, we aim to emphasize the advantages of acellular injectable biomaterial-based therapies, specifically material-alone approaches or delivery of acellular biologics, in regard to manufacturability and the capacity of these biomaterials to regenerate or repair diseased tissue. We will focus on design parameters and mechanisms that maximize therapeutic efficacy, particularly, improved functional perfusion and neovascularization regarding peripheral artery disease and improved cardiac function and reduced negative left ventricular remodeling post–myocardial infarction. We will then discuss the rationale and challenges of designing new injectable biomaterial-based therapies for the clinic.