Bergapten-Loaded Multifunctional Soluble Microneedle Patch with Bidirectional ROS Regulation and Pyroptosis...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Wound Healing Research
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Chronic infected wounds impede healing via bacterial biofilms, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
• Pyroptosis, a programmed cell death pathway, exacerbates tissue damage in infected wounds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multifunctional microneedle system (ACBP@MN) for treating chronic infected wounds.
• To investigate the synergistic effects of ACBP@MN in regulating oxidative stress and pyroptosis.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of ACBP@MN integrating Au/Cu nanosheets and Bergapten (BP).
• In vitro and in vivo evaluation in a Staphylococcus aureus-infected murine wound model.
• RNA sequencing to analyze molecular mechanisms of action.

Main Results:

• ACBP@MN demonstrated potent antibacterial activity, biofilm disruption, and anti-inflammatory effects.
• The system modulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and activated antioxidant pathways (Nrf2/HO-1).
• ACBP@MN suppressed pyroptosis by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome and GSDMD activation, promoting wound regeneration.

Conclusions:

• ACBP@MN offers a promising therapeutic strategy for chronic infected wound management.
• The microneedle system effectively breaks the cycle of infection, inflammation, and oxidative damage.
• This study highlights the potential of rationally designed composite materials in advanced wound care.