Electret-Inspired Charge-Injected Hydrogel for Scar-Free Healing of Bacterially Infected Burns Through Bioelectrical...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Bioelectronics

Background:

• Bacterial infections in burns often lead to delayed healing and significant scarring.
• Current treatments struggle to address both infection and the subsequent fibrotic response effectively.
• Bioelectrical stimulation offers a promising avenue for modulating cellular behavior in wound healing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an electret-inspired, charge-injected hydrogel (QOSP hydrogel) for scar-free healing of bacteria-infected burns.
• To investigate the hydrogel's mechanisms of action, including bioelectrical stimulation and immune modulation.
• To assess the hydrogel's efficacy in promoting wound closure, reducing bacterial load, and inhibiting scar formation.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of QOSP hydrogel using quaternized chitosan (QCS), oxidized dextran (OD), sulfadiazine (SDI), polystyrene (PS), and polyaniline nanowires (PANI).
• In vitro and in vivo studies using a mouse model of second-degree burns infected with Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA).
• Characterization of hydrogel properties including electro-dielectric properties and thermal stability; assessment of immune response via proteomic analysis and collagen deposition measurement.

Main Results:

• QOSP hydrogel demonstrated a 32% acceleration in wound healing and a 60% reduction in bacterial load in infected burn models.
• Scar formation was significantly inhibited by 40%, with a 35% reduction in collagen deposition.
• The hydrogel exhibited improved conductivity (3.33 × 10^-5 S/m) and thermal stability, and modulated the immune response towards an antifibrotic, Th1-dominant state.
• Proteomic analysis revealed a 50% down-regulation of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic pathways.

Conclusions:

• QOSP hydrogel effectively promotes scar-free healing of infected burns through combined bioelectrical stimulation and immune modulation.
• The hydrogel's conductive properties and ability to deliver continuous bioelectrical signals are key to its therapeutic effects.
• This study highlights the potential of bioelectrically active hydrogels as a novel therapeutic strategy for complex wound management, particularly in preventing scarring.