Microenvironment self-adaptive multifunctional hydrogels elicit immunomodulation mediated wound healing.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Wound Healing

Background:

• Chronic wounds pose significant challenges due to impaired healing processes.
• Existing treatments often lack multifunctionality and adaptability to wound microenvironments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a microenvironment self-adaptive multifunctional hydrogel dressing (GBOD-PF) for accelerated chronic wound healing.
• To investigate the hemostatic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties of the GBOD-PF hydrogel.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of aldehyde-functionalized dextran (ODT) and preparation of the GBOD-PF hydrogel via dynamic Schiff base bonds.
• Evaluation of hydrogel properties including self-healing, adhesion, biocompatibility, antibacterial activity, and hemostasis.
• Assessment of GBOD-PF in infection and diabetic wound healing models, analyzing immune response, macrophage repolarization, and angiogenesis.

Main Results:

• GBOD-PF hydrogel demonstrated intrinsic hemostasis, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, and anti-inflammatory effects by targeting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway.
• The hydrogel promoted collagen deposition, immune response activation, and angiogenesis.
• In vivo studies showed enhanced wound healing in infection and diabetic models, with M1-to-M2 macrophage repolarization and regulated MMP-9.

Conclusions:

• The GBOD-PF hydrogel is a promising multifunctional dressing for chronic wound repair and tissue regeneration.
• Its self-adaptive and regenerative properties offer an effective strategy for complex wound management.