An Engineered Dual Heterojunction Enables Programmable Photocatalytic Therapy for Infected Diabetic Wounds

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Diabetic wound healing is impaired by infection, inflammation, and poor blood vessel formation.
• Current treatments face challenges in addressing these complex pathological factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a programmable photocatalytic therapy for infected diabetic wounds.
• To create a dual-interfacial heterojunction (MTM) for enhanced wound regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a MXene, TiO2, and Ti-based metal-organic framework (MOF) with Pt single atoms (MTM).
• Utilized MXene/TiO2 Schottky and TiO2/MOF(Pt) Z-scheme interfaces for distinct photocatalytic activities under different light conditions.
• Evaluated MTM's efficacy in vitro and in vivo for antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and pro-angiogenic effects.

Main Results:

• The MXene/TiO2 interface generated ROS under near-infrared light for antibacterial effects.
• The TiO2/MOF(Pt) interface produced hydrogen and depleted glucose under visible light, clearing ROS and reducing inflammation.
• MTM treatment promoted angiogenesis via the PI3K/AKT/eNOS pathway, accelerating wound healing.

Conclusions:

• MTM acts as a light-guided cascade therapeutic platform for infected diabetic wound repair.
• The dual-interfacial heterojunction strategy offers spatiotemporal control over therapeutic effects.
• This approach shows significant potential for treating complex diabetic wound pathologies.