Tissue-like Soft Dual-Network Hydrogel Patch with Instant/Tunable Adhesion and Microenvironment Modulation for...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Wound Healing Research

Background:

• Bacterial infection disrupts the wound microenvironment, delaying healing.
• Conventional dressings can adhere excessively, causing re-injury and exposure.
• Existing treatments struggle to manage both infection and dressing adhesion effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and develop a dual-network hydrogel patch (CHI(C)-F/N-A) with tunable adhesion and synergistic microenvironment modulation for infected wound healing.
• To address challenges of delayed healing, uncontrolled adhesion, and secondary damage in infected wounds.
• To create an advanced wound dressing with improved physical properties and bioactivity.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a dual-network hydrogel using an orthogonal cross-linking mechanism.
• Incorporation of a covalent network (N-A) for stable tissue integration and a noncovalent network (CHI(C)-F) for antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
• Utilizing Fe3+ coordination with caffeic acid-modified chitosan and exploring NIR-mediated adhesion regulation via photothermal effects.

Main Results:

• The hydrogel patch demonstrated instant and tunable adhesion properties.
• The N-A network provided stable integration, while its phase-transition property allowed for weakened adhesion under thermal stimulation.
• The CHI(C)-F network exhibited antibacterial and antioxidant effects, synergistically modulating the pathological microenvironment.
• Near-infrared (NIR) irradiation effectively regulated the hydrogel's adhesion strength due to its photothermal properties.

Conclusions:

• The developed dual-network hydrogel patch offers a promising solution for infected wound management.
• It effectively balances desirable physical properties (tunable adhesion) with crucial bioactivities (antibacterial, antioxidant).
• This advanced wound dressing paradigm facilitates healing by addressing microenvironmental dysregulation and physical dressing challenges.