Spatially programmed hydrogel dressing enables phase-matched sequential ion release for accelerated severe burn...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Wound Healing

Background:

• Severe burn wounds present significant challenges due to excessive exudation and high infection risk, impairing all stages of healing.
• Current treatments often lack phase-specific strategies to manage exudate, control infection, and promote tissue regeneration effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a spatially programmed hydrogel dressing (SPHD) for advanced burn wound management.
• To achieve phase-matched release of therapeutic ions (Ga3+ and Fe3+) to address distinct healing phases.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of SPHD using confined layer-by-layer photopolymerization with site-specific immobilization of Ga3+ and Fe3+ ions.
• Characterization of hydrogel properties including swelling capacity, resilience, self-healing, and responsiveness to pH/temperature.
• In vivo testing in a murine deep second-degree burn model to evaluate wound closure and tissue regeneration.

Main Results:

• The SPHD demonstrated high swelling capacity, resilience, self-healing, and strong tissue adhesion.
• Phase-matched ion release: rapid Ga3+ release (16h) for infection control and sustained Fe3+ release (96h) for tissue regeneration.
• Accelerated wound closure (96% in 12 days) with enhanced epidermal recovery and neovascularization in a burn model.

Conclusions:

• The SPHD offers a programmable wound management strategy by aligning therapeutic ion release with the biological phases of wound healing.
• This versatile platform shows significant potential for burn wound treatment and broader applications in regenerative medicine.