Metal-organic framework-integrated polyurethane foam dressing for active scavenging of pro-inflammatory chemokines in...

Chronic wounds, such as diabetic wounds, present significant clinical challenges owing to a persistent dysregulated inflammatory state that arrests the healing process. Therefore, in this study, we developed an active wound dressing by integrating a zirconium-based metal-organic framework (MOF), PCN-222, into a polyurethane (PU) foam (MOF-PU) to selectively scavenge pro-inflammatory chemokines. PCN-222 has a large specific surface area and an intrinsic negative surface charge; thus, it effectively captures positively charged chemokines, such as interleukin-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, mostly likely through electrostatic interactions. The MOF-PU retained the key physical properties and biocompatibility of conventional PU dressings while achieving near-complete removal of the target chemokines. In vivo validation using a db/db mouse excisional wound model showed that the MOF-PU treatment significantly accelerated wound closure, reduced pro-inflammatory leukocyte infiltration, and facilitated the transition from chronic inflammation to active tissue repair. This was evidenced by increased angiogenesis and myofibroblast differentiation. These findings suggest that the MOF-PU foam functions as a therapeutic platform that actively regulates the microenvironment of a wound, thereby offering a promising strategy for overcoming inflammation-driven healing impairment in chronic wounds.