A robust adhesive microneedle for oral infections therapy via synergistic antibacterial and neutrophil-macrophage...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Oral infectious diseases present treatment challenges due to difficulties in maintaining drug efficacy and managing immune responses.
• Conventional therapies often fail to achieve sustained therapeutic drug levels and address concurrent infection and immune dysregulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a mussel-inspired microneedle patch (PCA@FeCO MN) for enhanced oral infectious disease treatment.
• To investigate a dual-adhesion mechanism and a photothermal-ferroptosis-gas therapy cascade for synergistic pathogen eradication and immunomodulation.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a microneedle patch by incorporating Fe3(CO)12 into a caffeic acid-grafted polyvinyl alcohol network.
• Utilized a dual-adhesion mechanism (catechol-metal coordination and mechanical interlocking) for strong adhesion to wet oral tissues.
• Activated a photothermal-ferroptosis-gas therapy cascade using near-infrared irradiation.

Main Results:

• The PCA@FeCO MN demonstrated robust adhesion to oral tissues in rat and beagle dog models.
• Achieved highly efficient synergistic antibacterial activity, eradicating pathogens effectively.
• Showcased precise immunomodulation by influencing neutrophil function and apoptosis, and enhancing macrophage efferocytosis.

Conclusions:

• The developed mussel-inspired microneedle patch offers a promising therapeutic strategy for oral infectious diseases.
• The synergistic therapy and immunomodulatory effects hold potential for future clinical translation in treating complex oral infections.