Silk-based nanocomposite hydrogel balances immune homeostasis via targeting mitochondria for diabetic wound healing

Abstract

Patients with diabetes frequently experience impaired wound healing, a challenge commonly attributed to immune imbalance and oxidative stress; notably, these issues arise from mitochondrial dysfunction. In this study, we fabricate a naturally derived bioactive hydrogel by incorporating resveratrol-loaded mesoporous polydopamine nanoparticles into silk microfibers-reinforced methacrylated silk network (SS/MPDA@RES), which exhibits appropriate injectability, light-curable performance and mechanical strength. It effectively scavenges excessive ROS to protect mitochondria, restore ATP production and remodel redox homeostasis. More importantly, it promotes mitochondrial biogenesis, respiratory capacity and oxidative phosphorylation via the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling axis, thereby reprogramming macrophages to the anti-inflammatory phenotype. In vivo, SS/MPDA@RES hydrogel promotes wound healing in diabetic rats by modulating immunity, inhibiting early inflammation, and accelerating angiogenesis and collagen deposition. Targeting mitochondria to regulate immune and redox homeostasis provides a novel avenue for the design of future tissue regeneration materials, with SS/MPDA@RES emerging as a potential treatment strategy for diabetic wounds.