An injectable chitosan /dextran /β -glycerophosphate hydrogel as cell delivery carrier for therapy of myocardial infarction

•A thermosensitive injectable hydrogels developed as a promising cell delivery vehicle for cardiac cell therapy.•Encapsulation of UCMSCs with CS/1.0 DEX/β-GP hydrogel can improve cell viability.•The delivery of HUVECs from CS/1.0 DEX/β-GP hydrogel showed a linear-like profile.•The prepared hydrogels could modulate the expression level of cTnI and Cx43 receptor of cardiac markers.•A thermosensitive injectable hydrogels developed as a promising cell delivery vehicle for cardiac cell therapy.•Encapsulation of UCMSCs with CS/1.0 DEX/β-GP hydrogel can improve cell viability.•The delivery of HUVECs from CS/1.0 DEX/β-GP hydrogel showed a linear-like profile.•The prepared hydrogels could modulate the expression level of cTnI and Cx43 receptor of cardiac markers.