MXene-Based Photothermal-Responsive Injectable Hydrogel Microsphere Modulates Physicochemical Microenvironment to
Zehua Gong1,2,3, Linjie Chen4, Xiaolei Zhou5
1Joint Research Centre on Medicine Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University Ningbo China.
Smart Medicine
|April 30, 2025
Summary
This study introduces smart hydrogel microspheres for osteoarthritis (OA) treatment. These microspheres improve joint lubrication and reduce inflammation, offering a new therapeutic approach for OA.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by inadequate lubrication, chronic inflammation, and cartilage destruction.
- Current OA treatments focus on lubrication but their effect on the inflammatory microenvironment is limited.
- The therapeutic potential of smart hydrogel microspheres for OA remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate MXene/NIPIAM-based photothermal-responsive injectable hydrogel microspheres for OA treatment.
- To investigate the efficacy of these smart hydrogel microspheres in modulating the physical lubrication and chemical inflammatory microenvironment in OA.
- To establish a foundation for using smart hydrogel microsphere delivery systems in regenerative medicine for OA.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of MXene/NIPIAM-based photothermal-responsive hydrogel microspheres using a microfluidic system.
- Encapsulation of diclofenac sodium within the hydrogel microspheres.
- Evaluation of the microspheres' therapeutic effects on OA, focusing on lubrication and inflammation modulation via near-infrared (NIR) irradiation.
Main Results:
- Successful preparation of photothermal-responsive injectable hydrogel microspheres.
- Demonstrated beneficial therapeutic effects of NIR-triggered microspheres in OA treatment.
- Evidence of modulation in both physical lubrication and chronic inflammation microenvironments.
Conclusions:
- Near-infrared (NIR) irradiation-based photothermal-responsive hydrogel microspheres show significant therapeutic potential for osteoarthritis.
- These smart hydrogel microspheres effectively address multiple pathological aspects of OA by improving lubrication and reducing inflammation.
- This technology provides a foundation for advanced smart hydrogel microsphere delivery systems in regenerative medicine for complex diseases like OA.
