A Multifunctional Nanocomposite Hydrogel Platform with a Sequentially Coordinated Strategy for Infected Wound Healing

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Wound Healing

Background:

• Infected wound healing requires materials that manage distinct biological phases.
• Current single-function materials are insufficient for dynamic infection control and tissue regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a versatile drug-loaded nanocomposite hydrogel (ML-OCP) for efficient infected wound repair.
• To implement a sequentially coordinated strategy for controlling infection and promoting tissue regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of ML-OCP hydrogel using l-arginine-loaded mesoporous polydopamine nanoparticles (MPDA@l-Arg NPs) within a dual-network matrix (oxidized hyaluronic acid, carboxymethyl chitosan, polyvinylpyrrolidone).
• Evaluation of hydrogel properties including tissue adhesiveness, self-healing, mechanical strength, and hemostasis.
• Assessment of sequentially coordinated therapeutic strategy: photothermal therapy (PTT) for immediate antibacterial/antioxidant effects and sustained l-arginine release for proliferation/remodeling.
• In vivo testing in a rat model of infected full-thickness skin defect.

Main Results:

• ML-OCP hydrogel demonstrated excellent tissue adhesion, self-healing, and mechanical properties.
• The hydrogel effectively controlled early infection through PTT and antioxidant actions.
• Sustained l-arginine release promoted subsequent tissue proliferation and remodeling.
• In vivo studies showed significant antibacterial activity, enhanced angiogenesis, and reduced inflammation in infected wounds.

Conclusions:

• The ML-OCP hydrogel platform offers a versatile and effective approach for infected wound repair.
• The sequentially coordinated strategy addresses distinct biological phases of wound healing.
• This work presents a promising new therapeutic strategy for managing infected wounds.