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Updated: Aug 14, 2025
Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
Black phosphorus-enhanced injectable hydrogel for infected soft tissue healing
Yaochao Zhao, Zhijie Chen, Wenjun Shao
1Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China.
This study developed a black phosphorus (BP)-enhanced injectable hydrogel for treating soft tissue infections around prostheses. The hydrogel offers synergistic antibacterial effects, promoting tissue repair and overcoming antibiotic resistance challenges.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Infectious Disease Treatment
Background:
- Antibiotic misuse complicates soft tissue infection treatment, especially in prosthesis replacement.
- Developing novel antibacterial strategies is crucial for managing challenging infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a black phosphorus (BP)-enhanced antibacterial injectable hydrogel (HAABP) for treating soft tissue infections.
- To evaluate the hydrogel's properties, antibacterial efficacy, and tissue repair capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized HAABP via dynamic cross-linking of thiolated hyaluronic acid, silver ions, and BP.
- Characterized HAABP's porous structure, injectability, self-healing, and mechanical properties.
- Assessed *in vitro* cytocompatibility and synergistic antibacterial effects against *Staphylococcus aureus* with near-infrared light irradiation and Ag+ release.
- Evaluated *in vivo* efficacy in inhibiting infection and promoting tissue repair by analyzing collagen deposition, angiogenesis, and TNF-α levels.
Main Results:
- HAABP exhibited porous structure, injectability, and self-healing properties, with shear modulus correlating positively with BP concentration.
- Demonstrated good cytocompatibility and potent synergistic antibacterial activity against *Staphylococcus aureus*.
- *In vivo*, HAABP inhibited infection, accelerated collagen deposition and angiogenesis, and reduced TNF-α, aiding tissue barrier repair.
Conclusions:
- The developed BP-enhanced injectable hydrogel provides a simple and effective synergistic antibacterial strategy.
- HAABP shows promise for treating soft tissue infections, particularly around prostheses, by combining antibacterial action with tissue regeneration.
- This approach addresses challenges posed by antibiotic resistance in clinical settings.
