Core-Shell Silk Fibroin Hydrogel Microneedles Functionalized with Antibody-Binding Domains for Transdermal Delivery

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Microneedle (MN) patches offer a promising avenue for transdermal delivery of large therapeutic molecules.
• Key challenges include achieving adequate mechanical strength for skin penetration, maintaining biocompatibility, and ensuring efficient antibody loading.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and develop a core-shell hydrogel MN patch for enhanced transdermal antibody delivery.
• To integrate a silk fibroin core for mechanical strength and a protein-based shell for antibody immobilization.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a core-shell MN patch utilizing a silk fibroin core and a fusion protein shell (Staphylococcus aureus protein A domains BC fused with mussel adhesive protein).
• Characterization of the MN patch's mechanical properties, demonstrating a penetration force significantly exceeding that required for porcine skin.
• Evaluation of the BC-MAP shell's capacity for antibody binding via specific affinity interactions.

Main Results:

• The developed core-shell MN patch exhibited superior mechanical strength, approximately 4.2 times greater than the force needed to penetrate porcine skin.
• The protein-based shell effectively immobilized antibodies through specific affinity interactions mediated by the BC domains.
• The silk fibroin core provided the necessary structural integrity for effective skin penetration.

Conclusions:

• The core-shell hydrogel MN patch represents a significant advancement in transdermal drug delivery platforms.
• This innovative design successfully addresses the challenges of mechanical strength and antibody loading for macromolecular therapeutics.
• The developed MN patch shows considerable potential for efficient and effective transdermal antibody delivery.