A Comprehensive Review of Thermosensitive Hydrogels: Mechanism, Optimization Strategies, and Applications

Thermosensitive hydrogels undergo reversible sol-gel phase transitions in response to changes in temperature. Owing to their excellent biocompatibility, mild reaction conditions, and controllable gelation properties, these hydrogels represent a promising class of biomaterials suitable for minimally...

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Main Authors: Tianyang Lv, Yuzhu Chen, Ning Li, Xiaoyu Liao, Yumin Heng, Yayuan Guo, Kaijin Hu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Gels
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/7/544
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author Tianyang Lv
Yuzhu Chen
Ning Li
Xiaoyu Liao
Yumin Heng
Yayuan Guo
Kaijin Hu
author_facet Tianyang Lv
Yuzhu Chen
Ning Li
Xiaoyu Liao
Yumin Heng
Yayuan Guo
Kaijin Hu
author_sort Tianyang Lv
collection DOAJ
description Thermosensitive hydrogels undergo reversible sol-gel phase transitions in response to changes in temperature. Owing to their excellent biocompatibility, mild reaction conditions, and controllable gelation properties, these hydrogels represent a promising class of biomaterials suitable for minimally invasive treatment systems in diverse biomedical applications. This review systematically summarizes the gelation mechanisms of thermosensitive hydrogels and optimization strategies to enhance their performance for broader application requirements. In particular, we highlight recent advances in injectable thermosensitive hydrogels as a carrier within stem cells, bioactive substances, and drug delivery for treating various tissue defects and diseases involving bone, cartilage, and other tissues. Furthermore, we propose challenges and directions for the future development of thermosensitive hydrogels. These insights provide new ideas for researchers to explore novel thermosensitive hydrogels for tissue repair and disease treatment.
format Article
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issn 2310-2861
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publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Gels
spelling doaj-art-c286e9af5eb048a29e00f0cf79840c772025-08-20T03:58:30ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612025-07-0111754410.3390/gels11070544A Comprehensive Review of Thermosensitive Hydrogels: Mechanism, Optimization Strategies, and ApplicationsTianyang Lv0Yuzhu Chen1Ning Li2Xiaoyu Liao3Yumin Heng4Yayuan Guo5Kaijin Hu6Xian Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Control of Stomatognathic System Disorders, School of Stomatology, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, ChinaXian Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Control of Stomatognathic System Disorders, School of Stomatology, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, ChinaXian Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Control of Stomatognathic System Disorders, School of Stomatology, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, ChinaXian Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Control of Stomatognathic System Disorders, School of Stomatology, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, ChinaXian Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Control of Stomatognathic System Disorders, School of Stomatology, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, ChinaXian Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Control of Stomatognathic System Disorders, School of Stomatology, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, ChinaXian Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Control of Stomatognathic System Disorders, School of Stomatology, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, ChinaThermosensitive hydrogels undergo reversible sol-gel phase transitions in response to changes in temperature. Owing to their excellent biocompatibility, mild reaction conditions, and controllable gelation properties, these hydrogels represent a promising class of biomaterials suitable for minimally invasive treatment systems in diverse biomedical applications. This review systematically summarizes the gelation mechanisms of thermosensitive hydrogels and optimization strategies to enhance their performance for broader application requirements. In particular, we highlight recent advances in injectable thermosensitive hydrogels as a carrier within stem cells, bioactive substances, and drug delivery for treating various tissue defects and diseases involving bone, cartilage, and other tissues. Furthermore, we propose challenges and directions for the future development of thermosensitive hydrogels. These insights provide new ideas for researchers to explore novel thermosensitive hydrogels for tissue repair and disease treatment.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/7/544thermosensitive hydrogelsmechanismoptimization strategydelivery systemtissue engineering
spellingShingle Tianyang Lv
Yuzhu Chen
Ning Li
Xiaoyu Liao
Yumin Heng
Yayuan Guo
Kaijin Hu
A Comprehensive Review of Thermosensitive Hydrogels: Mechanism, Optimization Strategies, and Applications
Gels
thermosensitive hydrogels
mechanism
optimization strategy
delivery system
tissue engineering
title A Comprehensive Review of Thermosensitive Hydrogels: Mechanism, Optimization Strategies, and Applications
title_full A Comprehensive Review of Thermosensitive Hydrogels: Mechanism, Optimization Strategies, and Applications
title_fullStr A Comprehensive Review of Thermosensitive Hydrogels: Mechanism, Optimization Strategies, and Applications
title_full_unstemmed A Comprehensive Review of Thermosensitive Hydrogels: Mechanism, Optimization Strategies, and Applications
title_short A Comprehensive Review of Thermosensitive Hydrogels: Mechanism, Optimization Strategies, and Applications
title_sort comprehensive review of thermosensitive hydrogels mechanism optimization strategies and applications
topic thermosensitive hydrogels
mechanism
optimization strategy
delivery system
tissue engineering
url https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/7/544
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