Photoswitchable Microgels for Dynamic Macrophage Modulation (Adv. Mater. 49/2022)

Microgels In article number 2205498, Sehoon Kim, Heemin Kang, and co-workers report the remote control of microgels via tissue-penetrative light. The microgels are electrostatically stabilized by cationic photoisomers and polyanions. Near-infrared-light-upconverted ultraviolet light using upconversion nanoparticles stimulates in situ swelling of the microgels and release of loaded cytokines, which facilitates pro-regenerative and anti-inflammatory polarization of macrophages.