Biomimetic hydrogel, a water-soluble polymer network mimicking the structure or function of organisms, has good biocompatibility, biodegradable, injectable and plastic and can be used as an ideal cell or drug carrier for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Biomimetic hydrogels can affect cell survival, proliferation, differentiation and function by regulating parameters such as their chemical composition, physical structure, mechanical properties and biological activity.

Macrophages are important immune cells that can be polarized into different phenotypes depending on the signals from the microenvironment, such as pro-inflammatory M1 or pro-repair M2 types. Macrophages play a key role in tissue repair, clearing necrotic cells and foreign bodies, secreted inflammatory factors and growth factors, and regulating fibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells. Therefore, the effective regulation of macrophages by biomimetic hydrogel can promote the quality and efficiency of tissue repair.