Engineering Injectable Co-Assembled Hyaluronic Acid-Based Hydrogel by Photothermal Driven Recombinant Human Type III...

The application of adhesive hydrogels with phototherapy-based antibacterial properties has been extensively exploited in the repair of infected tissues. However, bacterial stress-adaptation may compromise the antibacterial efficacy of photothermal therapy. Herein, an injectable hydrogel by integrating aldehyde-functionalized hyaluronic acid modified by methacrylic anhydride (AHAMA) with recombinant human type III collagen (rhCol III)-modified molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) (namely AHAMA+rhCM hydrogel) was developed. rhCol III was cross-linked with AHAMA to form a double-network hydrogel that enhanced mechanical properties, as well as acting as a structural stabilizer of MoS₂ to improve dispersion stability, ensuring photothermal conversion and effective antibacterial properties. According to an experimental study on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)-infected wound healing, AHAMA+rhCM hydrogel under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation demonstrated the best wound healing efficiency in comparison to AHAMA and AHAMA+rhCM hydrogel without NIR exposure. This can be attributed to its potent antibacterial activity, attenuated inflammatory response, promoted angiogenesis, and optimized collagen deposition patterns, which collectively contributed to accelerated tissue regeneration and wound closure. In summary, the photothermal-driven AHAMA+rhCM hydrogel represents a promising therapeutic strategy for infected wound repair, offering a dual-action solution that integrates effective antibacterial properties with enhanced tissue regeneration capabilities.