3D-Printed Hydrogel Patches Embedded with Cu-Modified Liquid Metal Nanoparticles for Accelerated Wound Healing.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Wound Healing Research

Background:

• Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections pose a significant challenge to wound healing.
• Gallium-based liquid metals (LMs) offer resistance-free antibacterial properties but have limited efficacy.
• Developing advanced materials is crucial for overcoming these limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the antibacterial efficacy of liquid metal nanoparticles (LMNPs) by incorporating copper.
• To develop a 3D-printed hydrogel patch for accelerated infected wound healing.
• To investigate the combined therapeutic effects of copper-modified LMNPs and epidermal growth factors (EGF).

Main Methods:

• Grafting copper onto nano-LM surfaces via ultrasonication to create copper-modified LM nanoparticles (Cu-LMNPs).
• Incorporating Cu-LMNPs and EGF into a rheology-tunable, 3D-printable hydrogel.
• Evaluating antibacterial efficacy against ampicillin-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in vitro.
• Assessing wound healing in a mouse model infected with MRSA.

Main Results:

• Cu-LMNPs demonstrated ≈100% antibacterial effectiveness against E. coli and MRSA in vitro.
• Enhanced efficacy is attributed to increased Cu²⁺ and Ga³⁺ ion release.
• The 3D-printed hydrogel patches promoted epithelial regeneration, collagen deposition, and neovascularization in vivo.
• MRSA-infected wounds in mice showed significant healing within 10 days compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• Novel 3D-printed hydrogel patches incorporating Cu-LMNPs and EGF effectively combat bacterial infections and accelerate wound healing.
• The sustained release of ions and EGF facilitates tissue regeneration and promotes complete wound closure.
• This approach offers a promising strategy for treating complex, infected wounds.