Fig. 1
Characterization of the thermally responsive hydrogel (TRG). A Schematic illustration of alginate gelation secondary to the ionic interaction with Ca2+. B Photographs of TRG at different temperatures. C Dynamic viscosity (η') and storage modulus (G') curves of TRG at 25 ℃ over an angular frequency range of 0.05–200 rad s−1. D Variations of dynamic viscosity (η') and storage modulus (G') for TRG with increasing temperature at a heating rate of 5 ℃ min−1 over a temperature range of 25–70 ℃. E UV–vis NIR absorption spectra of free ICG, poly I:C, Gel, poly I:C–containing gel (pGel), ICG-incorporated TRG, and poly I:C–containing TRG (pTRG). F Thermographic images of PBS, poly I:C, Gel, pGel, TRG, and pTRG after 5 min under NIR laser irradiation at a laser power density of 1.5 W/cm2. G Poly I:C released from pGel and pTRG in PBS at 37 ℃ or under NIR laser irradiation (1.5 W/cm2, 5 min; **p < 0.01). H Cumulative release of poly I:C from pGel after laser irradiation (1.5 W/cm2, 5 min). The percentage of the poly I:C released in the supernatant at the indicated time points