Accelerated infected wound healing by probiotic-based living microneedles with long-acting antibacterial effect

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Microbiology
• Wound Healing Research

Background:

• Infected wound healing is often delayed by bacterial infections and inflammation.
• Chronic wound infections are challenging due to biofilms limiting conventional therapies.
• Existing treatments face issues with drug permeability and require frequent administration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a biocompatible probiotic-based microneedle (MN) patch for efficient delivery of beneficial bacteria to wound tissues.
• To investigate the long-acting antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of probiotics for infected wound healing.
• To evaluate the viability of probiotics within the microneedle patch over time.

Main Methods:

• Designed a probiotic-based microneedle (MN) patch for enhanced delivery of beneficial bacteria.
• Probiotics were engineered to produce antimicrobial substances from glycerol.
• Assessed probiotic viability within MNs at 4°C for 60 days.
• Evaluated the efficacy of the MN patch in a mouse model of *Staphylococcus aureus*-infected wounds.

Main Results:

• The probiotic MN patch demonstrated efficient delivery of beneficial bacteria to wound tissues.
• Probiotics maintained high viability (>80%) within MNs for up to 60 days at 4°C.
• A single administration of the MN patch showed superior antimicrobial efficiency and wound healing compared to controls in a mouse model.

Conclusions:

• Probiotic-based microneedle patches offer a promising strategy for treating infected wounds.
• This approach provides long-acting antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, accelerating wound closure.
• Further development holds potential for improved chronic wound management.