Engineered Needlepatch for the treatment of acute kidney injury

In acute kidney injury (AKI), the loss of peritubular capillaries further aggravates the disease. Cell transplantation represents an innovative precision therapeutic strategy. However, the low survival rate of transplanted cells and the low therapeutic efficiency remain challenges for clinical application. Here, we constructed a Needlepatch loaded with the nanozymes GTFG@Fe₃O₄, and attached to a 3D printed patterned cell tubular networks hydrogel patch for in situ kidney transplantation. In the early stage of AKI, the nanozymes can effectively target ATG4B protein-enriched microenvironment, preventing the infiltration of the NLRP3 inflammasome and cellular damage, relieving inflammation. During the later stage, human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived podocyte-attached patterned tubular networks of endothelial cells facilitated the rebuilding of renal microvascular network, promoting regeneration. In this process, the integration of the Needlepatch with host kidney is established. This engineered kidney composite patch alleviates the damage caused by AKI in a programmed manner and demonstrates considerable therapeutic potential in promoting renal microvascular reconstruction.