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Updated: Jun 9, 2025
Author Spotlight: Innovative Microneedle-Based Strategies for Enhanced Exosome Delivery and Stability
Published on: July 12, 2024
Electrically-driven drug delivery into deep cutaneous tissue by conductive microneedles for fungal infection
Sumanta Ghosh1, Mengjia Zheng2, Jiahui He2
1Applied Oral Sciences and Community Dental Care, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Division of Restorative Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Abstract:
Fungal infections affect over 13 million people worldwide and are responsible for 1.5 million deaths annually. Some deep cutaneous fungal infections may extend the dermal barriers to cause systemic infection, resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality. However, the management of deep cutaneous fungal infection is challenging and yet overlooked by traditional treatments, which only offer limited drug availability within deep tissue. In this study, we have developed an electrically stimulated microneedle patch to deliver miconazole into the subcutaneous layer. We tested its antifungal efficacy using in vitro and ex vivo models that mimic fungal infection. Moreover, we confirmed its anti-fungal and wound-healing effects in a murine subcutaneous fungal infection model. Furthermore, our findings also showed that the combination of miconazole and applied current synergistically stimulated the nociceptive sensory nerves, thereby activating protective cutaneous immunity mediated by dermal dendritic and γδ-T cells. Collectively, this study provides a new strategy for minimally invasive delivery of therapeutic agents and the modulation of the neuro-immune axis in deep tissue.
Insights
This study introduces an electrically stimulated microneedle patch for delivering miconazole to treat deep fungal infections. This novel approach enhances drug delivery and activates immune responses for better treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Dermatology
- Immunology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Deep cutaneous fungal infections cause significant mortality and morbidity.
- Traditional treatments have limited efficacy due to poor drug penetration in deep tissues.
- Novel drug delivery systems are needed for effective management of these infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate an electrically stimulated microneedle patch for subcutaneous delivery of miconazole.
- To assess the antifungal and wound-healing effects of this system in preclinical models.
- To investigate the underlying mechanisms involving neuro-immune interactions.
Main Methods:
- Development of an electrically stimulated microneedle patch for miconazole delivery.
- In vitro and ex vivo testing using fungal infection models.
- In vivo studies in a murine subcutaneous fungal infection model.
- Analysis of immune cell activation and nerve stimulation.
Main Results:
- The microneedle patch successfully delivered miconazole into the subcutaneous layer.
- Demonstrated significant antifungal and wound-healing effects in the murine model.
- Showed synergistic stimulation of sensory nerves by miconazole and electrical current.
- Identified activation of dermal dendritic and γδ-T cells.
Conclusions:
- Electrically stimulated microneedle patch offers a minimally invasive strategy for treating deep fungal infections.
- This approach modulates the neuro-immune axis, enhancing cutaneous immunity.
- Provides a promising new therapeutic avenue for challenging fungal infections.
