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Oral environment targeting sutures for refractory oral wound
Shuze Wang1, Jin Wang1, Yue Wang1
1School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China.
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces
|January 3, 2026
Summary
New self-contracting sutures inspired by spider silk improve oral wound healing. These innovative sutures actively close gaps, reduce bacterial invasion, and promote tissue regeneration for better surgical outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Oral Surgery
Background:
- Traditional absorbable sutures in oral environments loosen, causing micro-gaps that promote bacterial colonization and impede mucosal healing.
- Existing sutures lack the mechanical reinforcement and active closure mechanisms needed for optimal healing in moist, complex oral conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate novel self-contracting sutures inspired by spider silk for enhanced oral wound closure and mucosal healing.
- To investigate the mechanical properties, antibacterial activity, and biological regulation of these next-generation degradable sutures.
Main Methods:
- Development of a degradable suture featuring a spider silk-inspired elastic network using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), sodium alginate, and Ca²⁺.
- Incorporation of a moisture-responsive ion-crosslinked network designed for humidity-induced contraction.
- In vitro assessment of antibacterial activity and biological regulation (cytokine expression, oxidative stress, angiogenesis), followed by in vivo testing on oral wounds.
Main Results:
- The sutures demonstrated significant contraction within four hours of hydration, effectively approximating wound edges and minimizing gaps.
- Exhibited potent antibacterial activity (90.3% E. coli, 95.6% S. aureus inhibition) and favorable biological regulation, including increased IL-10 expression and enhanced oxidative stress capacity.
- In vivo studies showed accelerated healing, reduced scarring, and improved tissue regeneration quality in difficult and infected oral wounds.
Conclusions:
- The developed tea polyphenols self-contracting sutures offer a promising solution for stable oral wound closure, overcoming limitations of traditional sutures.
- These sutures enhance mechanical reinforcement, actively reduce bacterial invasion, and promote tissue repair, holding significant potential for oral and maxillofacial surgery and infection-prone wound management.
