Efficient Wound Healing Research Articles

STING coordinates resolution of inflammation during wound repair by modulating macrophage trafficking through STAT3.

Efficient cutaneous wound healing requires a coordinated transition between inflammatory phases mediated by dynamic changes in leukocyte subset populations. Here, we identify STING as a key innate immune mediator governing timely resolution of inflammation by regulating macrophage dynamics during skin repair. Using a mouse model, we show STING deficiency caused delayed wound closure associated with abnormal persistence of TNF-α+ leukocytes. This resulted from the impaired macrophage recruitment. STING controlled the trafficking of bone marrow myeloid cells into blood and wounds, intrinsically enhancing macrophage migratory capacity through STAT3 activation. Specifically, STING modulated the production of monocyte chemokines and their receptors CCR2/CCR5 to enable efficient egress and wound infiltration. Consequently, disrupted systemic and local STING-STAT3-chemokine signaling combine to delay macrophage influx. This study elucidates STING as a critical rheostat tuning macrophage responses through STAT3 to orchestrate inflammatory resolution necessary for efficient wound healing. Our findings have broad implications for targeting STING therapeutically in both regenerative medicine and inflammatory disease contexts. STING regulates the macrophage trafficking through STAT3 in wound healing.

Silver/tannic acid nanoparticles/ poly-L-lysine decorated polyvinyl alcohol-hydrogel as a hybrid wound dressing

Hydrogels containing antimicrobial materials have emerged as attractive platforms for wound treatment in the past decade due to their favorable bio-mimicking properties, excellent modulation of bacterial infection, and ability to minimize bacterial resistance. Herein, a hybrid combination of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), hyperbranched poly L-lysine (L), tannic acid decorated AgNPs (AgTA NPs), loaded with Allantoin (Alla) is used to fabricate PLAg-Alla hydrogel dressing via the freeze-thaw method without use of any chemical cross-linker. The PLAg-Alla hydrogel possesses a great structure, is biodegradable, and safe, and exhibits high antibacterial potential, all required for efficient wound healing. The incorporation of AgTA and poly L-lysine (L) within the hydrogel contributes to the enhancement of antibacterial ability, as well as effectively promoting the wound healing. This hybrid hydrogel possessed favorable physicochemical features, robust antibacterial properties, and accelerated wound healing in vivo as promising dressing for the clinical application.

Black Phosphorus Nanosheets-Based Hydrogel for Efficient Bacterial Inhibition and Accelerating Wound Healing.

With the swift evolution of multidrug-resistant bacteria resulting from the intense and inappropriate use of antibiotics, there is a pressing need for innovative solutions. In this study, a thermosensitive hydrogel was developed for efficient bacterial inhibition and promotion of wound healing. The antibacterial chitosan (CS) thermosensitive hydrogel, cross-linked with two-dimensional photothermal nanomaterial black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets through electrostatic interactions, effectively encapsulates and sustains the release of angiogenic drug deferoxamine mesylate (DFO). This facilitates the acceleration of re-epithelialization and neovascularization by enhancing cell migration and proliferation. Following near-infrared (NIR) treatment, this hydrogel demonstrates rapid eradication of the most common multidrug-resistant bacteria encountered in clinical settings, achieved through physical disruption of bacterial membranes and photothermal therapies. Noteworthy is the significant upregulation of IL-19 expression via STAT3 signaling pathways by the BP/CS-DFO hydrogel in a full-thickness wound model. This results in the polarization of the anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage phenotype, altering the microenvironment to a pro-healing state and enhancing extracellular matrix deposition and blood vessel formation. In conclusion, the BP/CS-DFO hydrogel shows immense promise as a potential clinical candidate for wound healing and antimicrobial therapy. Its innovative design and multifunctional capabilities position it as a valuable asset in combating antibiotic resistance and enhancing efficiency in wound healing.

Iron/Molybdenum Sulfide Nanozyme Cocatalytic Fenton Reaction for Photothermal/Chemodynamic Efficient Wound Healing.

The issue of bacterial infectious diseases remains a significant concern worldwide, particularly due to the misuse of antibiotics, which has caused the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. Fortunately, the rapid development of nanomaterials has propelled significant progress in antimicrobial therapy, offering promising solutions. Among them, the utilization of nanoenzyme-based chemodynamic therapy (CDT) has become a highly hopeful approach to combating bacterial infectious diseases. Nevertheless, the application of CDT appears to be facing certain constraints for its low efficiency in the Fenton reaction at the infected site. In this study, we have successfully synthesized a versatile nanozyme, which was a composite of molybdenum sulfide (MoS2) and iron sulfide (FeS2), through the hydrothermal method. The results showed that iron/molybdenum sulfide nanozymes (Fe/Mo SNZs) with desirable peroxidase (POD) mimic activity can generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) by successfully triggering the Fenton reaction. The presence of MoS2 significantly accelerates the conversion of Fe2+/Fe3+ through a cocatalytic reaction that involves the participation of redox pairs of Mo4+/Mo6+, thereby enhancing the efficiency of CDT. Additionally, based on the excellent photothermal performance of Fe/Mo SNZs, a near-infrared (NIR) laser was used to induce localized temperature elevation for photothermal therapy (PTT) and enhance the POD-like nanoenzymatic activity. Notably, both in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated that Fe/Mo SNZs with good broad-spectrum antibacterial properties can help eradicate Gram-negative bacteria like Escherichia coli and Gram-positive bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus. The most exciting thing is that the synergistic PTT/CDT exhibited astonishing antibacterial ability and can achieve complete elimination of bacteria, which promoted wound healing after infection. Overall, this study presents a synergistic PTT/CDT strategy to address antibiotic resistance, providing avenues and directions for enhancing the efficacy of wound healing treatments and offering promising prospects for further clinical use in the near future.

Multifunctional Molybdenum-Based Nanoclusters Engineered Gelatin Methacryloyl as In Situ Photo-Cross-Linkable Hybrid Hydrogel Dressings for Enhanced Wound Healing.

Skin injuries and wounds present significant clinical challenges, necessitating the development of advanced wound dressings for efficient wound healing and tissue regeneration. In this context, the advancement of hydrogels capable of counteracting the adverse effects arising from undesirable reactive oxygen species (ROS) is of significant importance. This study introduces a hybrid hydrogel with rapid photocuring and excellent conformability, tailored to ameliorate the hostile microenvironment of damaged skin tissues. The hybrid hydrogel, composed of photoresponsive Gelatin Methacryloyl (GelMA) and Molybdenum-based nanoclusters (MNC), exhibits physicochemical characteristics conductive to skin regeneration. In vitro studies demonstrated the cytocompatibility and ROS-responsive behavior of the MNC/GelMA hybrid hydrogels, confirming their ability to promote human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) functions. The incorporation of MNC into GelMA not only enhances HDF adhesion, proliferation, and migration but also shields against oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Notably, in vivo evaluation in murine full-thickness skin defects revealed that the application of hybrid hydrogel dressings led to reduced inflammation, accelerated wound closure, and enhanced collagen deposition in comparison to control groups. Significantly, this study introduced a convenient approach to develop in situ ROS-scavenging hydrogel dressings to accelerate the wound healing process without the need for exogenous cytokines or medications. We consider that the nanoengineering approach proposed herein offers potential possibilities for the development of therapeutic hydrogel dressings addressing various skin-related conditions.

Long duration sodium hyaluronate hydrogel with dual functions of both growth prompting and acid-triggered antibacterial activity for bacteria-infected wound healing

Conventional wound dressings are monolithically designed to cover the injured areas as well as absorb the exudates at injured site. Furthermore, antibacterial drugs and growth prompting factors are additionally appended to realize sensible and omnibearing wound management, exhibiting long and tedious treatment process in practice. Consequently, the creation of multifunctional wound dressings that combines wound repair enhancement with antibacterial properties turns out to be significant for simplifying wound managements. In our investigation, electronegative human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) was combined with the positively charged Zn-Al layered double hydroxides (Zn-Al LDHs) via electrostatic interaction while the obtained hEGF/LDH was integrated with sodium hyaluronate hydrogel (SH) hydrogel, forming a composite hydrogel with synergistic benefits for wound management. The innovative hEGF/LDH@SH hydrogel equipped with fine biocompatibility was designed to optimize wound healing in which hEGF stimulates epithelial cell growth while LDH released antibacterial factor Zn2+ against Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli (E.coli) under acidic wound environment. Additionally, the SH hydrogel constructed a three-dimensional structure that not only safeguarded the wound area but also maintained a moist environment conducive to recovery. The synthesized hEGF/LDH was confirmed via fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermo-gravimetry (TG) measurements. The release of Zn2+ from Zn-Al LDH under acid circumstance was detected via inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and the in vitro bactericidal experiments endowed the antibacterial property of hEGF/LDH@SH hydrogel. In vitro drug release experiments illustrated the controlled-release of hEGF from hEGF/LDH which promoted the long-term affect of hEGF at wound site. In vitro cell experiments verified that the hEGF/LDH@SH hydrogel motivated the promotion on cell proliferation and migration without cytotoxicity. An in vivo study of the repairing of MRSA-infected wound in mice indicated that hEGF/LDH@SH hydrogel serves as a simple and novel, innoxious and efficient wound healing approach. This brand new hydrogel possesses properties of promoting the regeneration of skin tissue, achieving antimicrobial therapy without any accessional antibacterial drugs as well as realizing controlled release of hEGF.

Tailoring silk fibroin fibrous architecture by a high-yield electrospinning method for fast wound healing possibilities.

In this study, a novel array electrospinning collector was devised to generate two distinct regenerated silk fibroin (SF) fibrous membranes: ordered and disordered. Leveraging electrostatic forces during the electrospinning process allowed precise control over the orientation of SF fiber, resulting in the creation of membranes comprising both aligned and randomly arranged fiber layers. This innovative approach resulted in the development of large-area membranes featuring exceptional stability due to their alternating patterned structure, achievable through expansion using the collector, and improving the aligned fiber membrane mechanical properties. The study delved into exploring the potential of these membranes in augmenting wound healing efficiency. Conducting in vitro toxicity assays with adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) and normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) confirmed the biocompatibility of the SF membranes. We use dual perspectives on exploring the effects of different conditioned mediums produced by cells and structural cues of materials on NHDFs migration. The nanofibers providing the microenvironment can directly guide NHDFs migration and also affect the AD-MSCs and NHDFs paracrine effects, which can improve the chemotaxis of NHDFs migration. The ordered membrane, in particular, exhibited pronounced effectiveness in guiding directional cell migration. This research underscores the revelation that customizable microenvironments facilitated by SF membranes optimize the paracrine products of mesenchymal stem cells and offer valuable physical cues, presenting novel prospects for enhancing wound healing efficiency.

Transformation of Natural Resin Resina Draconis to 3D Functionalized Fibrous Scaffolds for Efficient Chronic Wound Healing.

Chronic wound healing is a major challenge in clinical practice. Secondary dressing damage and antibiotic resistance are the main obstacles for traditional wound dressings. Resina draconis (RD), a natural resin traditionally used in powder form for wound care, is now considered unsuitable due to the lack of gas permeability and moist environment required for wound healing. Here, RD is incorporated in situ by constructing a 3D coiled fibrous scaffold with polycaprolactone/polyethylene oxide. Due to the high porosity of 3D scaffold, the RD-3D dressings have a favorable swelling capacity, providing permeability and moisture for wound repair. Meanwhile, the transformation of RD powder into 3D dressings fully demonstrates capabilities of RD in rapid hemostasis, bactericidal, and inflammation-regulating activities. In vivo evaluations using pressure ulcer and infected wound models confirm the high efficacy of RD-3D dressing in early wound healing, particularly beneficial in the infected wound model compared to recombinant bovine FGF-basic. Further biological analysis shows that resveratrol, loureirin A, and loureirin B, as potentially bioactive components of RD, individually contribute to different aspects of wound healing. Collectively, RD-3D integrated dressings represent a simple, cost-effective, and safe approach to wound healing, providing an alternative therapy for translating medical dressings from bench to bedside.

Development of bio sheet using nanoparticles and the confederation of protein for casting wound

This research pioneers a sustainable approach to wound healing by developing a bio sheet for dressings. It ingeniously incorporates healing properties of reduced graphene oxide synthesized via an eco-friendly method, using phytoextracts to eliminate toxic chemicals. Collagen extracted from fish waste and fibrinogen from post-animal waste contribute to the bio sheet's green profile. The study emphasizes the global shift towards utilizing natural materials in therapeutic applications for efficient wound healing while minimizing toxic side effects. The formulation involves a simple muffle treatment for the conversion of carbon to graphene oxide, followed by a greener reduction technique to synthesize rGO. Characterization- by peaks that obtained at 255 nm, 240 nm, 280 nm, 360 nm using UV–Vis analysis were confirmed the presents of desired carbon and glycoproteins, In X-ray diffraction (2θ value) we found peaks at 24.37°, 27.84°, 17.43° which indicated the presents of rGO, Fibrinogen, and Collagen, and FT-IR methods confirms the functional groups like OH, CH2, CC, CHO and NC in the derived materials and Zeta potential distribution were done for Compounds. To add up purity and efficiency analysis via GCMS were done for proteins. The resulting bio sheet, created in a controlled environment with a gelling agent, Undergoes morphological analysis through FESEM-EDX. Additional assessments, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hemocompatibility assays, illuminate the nature of the formulated bio sheet. To addition, biosheet is analyzed for physical and mechanical properties. Further insight is gained through the analysis of surface plots of the EDX images of both the composite and bio sheet using ImageJ software. This comprehensive approach underscores the potential of sustainable and naturally derived materials in advancing wound care technologies.

Clinical comprehensive treatment protocol for managing diabetic foot ulcers: A retrospective cohort study.

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a common complication of diabetes, often leading to severe infections, amputations, and reduced quality of life. The current standard treatment protocols for DFUs have limitations in promoting efficient wound healing and preventing complications. A comprehensive treatment approach targeting multiple aspects of wound care may offer improved outcomes for patients with DFUs. The hypothesis of this study is that a comprehensive treatment protocol for DFUs will result in faster wound healing, reduced amputation rates, and improved overall patient outcomes compared to standard treatment protocols. To compare the efficacy and safety of a comprehensive treatment protocol for DFUs with those of the standard treatment protocol. This retrospective study included 62 patients with DFUs, enrolled between January 2022 and January 2024, randomly assigned to the experimental (n = 32) or control (n = 30) group. The experimental group received a comprehensive treatment comprising blood circulation improvement, debridement, vacuum sealing drainage, recombinant human epidermal growth factor and anti-inflammatory dressing, and skin grafting. The control group received standard treatment, which included wound cleaning and dressing, antibiotics administration, and surgical debridement or amputation, if necessary. Time taken to reduce the white blood cell count, number of dressing changes, wound healing rate and time, and amputation rate were assessed. The experimental group exhibited significantly better outcomes than those of the control group in terms of the wound healing rate, wound healing time, and amputation rate. Additionally, the comprehensive treatment protocol was safe and well tolerated by the patients. Comprehensive treatment for DFUs is more effective than standard treatment, promoting granulation tissue growth, shortening hospitalization time, reducing pain and amputation rate, improving wound healing, and enhancing quality of life.

Cobalt-phenolic nanoparticles-driven self-assembly of hyaluronic acid hydrogels providing a multifactorial approach for chronic wound management

Chronic wounds are persistent non-healing lesions whose complex management is due to the interplay of multiple factors promoting chronicity, such as oxidative stress, overexpressed enzyme activities impeding the tissue repair and bacterial contamination. Currently marketed chronic wound dressings are designed mainly to absorb wound exudate, and at most to release antimicrobial agents, usually ionic silver. However, an effective wound repair requires addressing the multifactorial nature of the wound in a holistic approach. This study explores the potential of metal phenolic network (MPN) nanoparticles (NPs), comprised of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and cobalt, as active agents and structural elements in wound dressings. The MPN NPs were able to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), disturb bacterial membrane, and inhibit the biofilm of both gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Owing to the high interfacial activity of their phenolic shells, the NPs drove the self-assembly of thiolated hyaluronic acid (THA) hydrogels featuring injectability, self-healing, stimuli-responsive NPs delivery in wound microenvironment, and control over deleterious enzyme activities, oxidative stress and bacterial colonisation. Specifically, the hydrogels inhibited matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) by 60 and 80 %, respectively, and achieved 4-log reduction of S. aureus and 2-log reduction of P. aeruginosa concentrations. Finally, the hydrogels were in-vivo validated in a mouse animal model, showing lack of toxicity and similar wound healing efficiency as an antibiotic-containing commercial product.

Phenylboronic acid functionalized dextran loading curcumin as nano-therapeutics for promoting the bacteria-infected diabetic wound healing

Chronic bacterial infections, excessive inflammation, and oxidative stress significantly hinder diabetic wound healing by prolonging the inflammatory phase and complicating the healing process. In this study, phenylboronic acid functionalized dextran (PODP) was developed to encapsulate curcumin, referred to as PODP@Cur. Experimental results indicate that PODP significantly improves the water solubility of curcumin and exhibits synergistic biological activity both in vitro and in vivo. PODP@Cur is capable of accelerating drug release under the pathological microenvironment with ROS accumulation. Furthermore, phenylboronic acid (PBA) has demonstrated potential for targeted bacterial drug delivery, enhancing antibacterial efficacy and trapping free LPS/PGN from dead bacteria to reduce undesirable inflammation. In a diabetic mouse model, PODP@Cur exhibits an excellent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities to ultimately promote the efficient and safe wound healing. Due to the specific interaction between PBA and LPS, PODP@Cur could enhance antibacterial activity against bacteria, reduce toxic side effects on normal cells, and alleviate the LPS-mediated pro-inflammatory pathological microenvironment. Therefore, PODP@Cur is capable of being exploited as an efficient and safe candidate for promoting the bacteria-infected diabetic wound healing.

Injectable exosome-loaded quaternized chitosan/oxidized sodium alginate hydrogel with self-healing, bioadhesive, and antibacterial properties for treating combined radiation-wound injury

The management of combined radiation-wound injury (CRWI) is a major clinical challenge owing to the delayed and prolonged wound-healing process. Moreover, the mechanisms underlying the healing of CRWI are complex, and chronic wounds can increase vulnerability to multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, vascular disease, and other adverse conditions. Although exosomes from iPSC-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs) can promote injury repair, the feasibility of encapsulating them within polysaccharide-based hydrogels to treat CRWI remains to be explored. Here, iMSC-derived exosomes were encapsulated within an injectable hydrogel (HACC/OSA) consisting of quaternized chitosan (HACC) and oxidized sodium alginate (OSA). The HACC/OSA hydrogel exhibited good self-healing properties, excellent injectability, and good biocompatibility. In mouse models of CRWI, the HACC/OSA hydrogel could form a protective barrier covering the wound. Due to the presence of quaternary ammonium salts, the hydrogel could provide long-term antimicrobial protection to the wound, which was favorable for wound healing. In addition, the hydrogel could also promote CRWI repair by stabilizing exosome release. The exosome-loaded hydrogel (HACC/OSA@Exos) significantly inhibited bacterial growth and promoted the repair of CRWI, as indicated by enhanced wound healing efficiency, rapid re-epithelialization, favorable collagen deposition, and abundant angiogenesis at the wound site. Together, the in vivo and in vitro results indicated that the exosome-loaded polysaccharide-based hydrogel (HACC/OSA@Exos) can promote the healing of CRWI and potentially serve as a valuable clinical agent for CRWI management.

Optimizing skin wound healing: The crucial role of the innate immune system and inflammatory microenvironment

Skin, as a part of the innate immune system, represents the first line of defense against pathogens. Each mechanical damage to the skin surface disrupts its homeostasis, thus rapidly inducing the cascade of repair processes. Wound healing comprises 4 subsequent and overlapping steps: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. The interplay of the abovementioned phases results in successful cell restoration and tissue repair. The efficiency of wound healing depends on numerous internal and external factors. The proper recruitment of immune cells, such as neutrophils and macrophages, and their interactions with keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and extracellular matrix (ECM) accounts for one of the most significant elements affecting this process. Despite the interaction of the immune cells, the development of a highly favorable microenvironment surrounding the damaged area also constitutes a vital component of successful healing. These optimal conditions combined with the inflow of stimuli, such as cytokines and growth factors, lead to complete wound closure and skin surface restoration. Nevertheless, in order to increase the efficiency of wound healing treatment and improve existing technologies, it is essential to gain a deeper understanding of the healing steps’ complexity. In this work, we elucidated basic mechanisms regarding skin injury sealing with a focus on the creation of a highly beneficial inflammatory microenvironment. The presented paper outlines current approaches to managing the excessive inflammation of the skin wound microenvironment to improve the treatment of chronic wounds. The most important perspectives in immunology phase modulation include the use of pharmaceuticals, natural bioactive compounds, immunomodulatory scaffolds, skin substitutes, cell-based therapies, and growth factors or cytokines injections.

ATP-dependent chromatin remodeller brahma related gene 1 promotes keratinocyte migration and modulates cell Signalling during wound healing in human skin.

Skin wound healing is driven by proliferation, migration and differentiation of several cell types that are controlled by the alterations in the gene expression programmes. Brahma Gene 1 (BRG1) (also known as SMARCA4) is a core ATPase in the BRG1 Associated Factors (BAF) ATP-dependent chromatin remodelling complexes that alter DNA-histone interaction in chromatin at the specific gene regulatory elements resulting in increase or decrease of the target gene transcription. Using siRNA mediated suppression of BRG1 during wound healing in a human exvivo and invitro (scratch assay) models, we demonstrated that BRG1 is essential for efficient skin wound healing by promoting epidermal keratinocytes migration, but not their proliferation or survival. BRG1 controls changes in the expression of genes associated with gene transcription, response to wounding, cell migration and cell signalling. Altogether, our data revealed that BRG1 play positive role in skin repair by promoting keratinocyte migration and impacting the genes expression programmes associated with cell migration and cellular signalling.

Renewable Electroconductive Hydrogels for Accelerated Diabetic Wound Healing and Motion Monitoring.

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), a prevalent complication of diabetes mellitus, may result in an amputation. Natural and renewable hydrogels are desirable materials for DFU dressings due to their outstanding biosafety and degradability. However, most hydrogels are usually only used for wound repair and cannot be employed to monitor motion because of their inherent poor mechanical properties and electrical conductivity. Given that proper wound stretching is beneficial for wound healing, the development of natural hydrogel patches integrated with wound repair properties and motion monitoring was expected to achieve efficient and accurate wound healing. Here, we designed a dual-network (chitosan and sodium alginate) hydrogel embedded with lignin-Ag and quercetin-melanin nanoparticles to achieve efficient wound healing and motion monitoring. The double network formed by the covalent bond and electrostatic interaction confers the hydrogel with superior mechanical properties. Instead of the usual chemical reagents, genipin extracted from Gardenia was used as a cross-linking agent for the hydrogel and consequently improved its biosafety. Furthermore, the incorporation of lignin-Ag nanoparticles greatly enhanced the mechanical strength, antibacterial efficacy, and conductivity of the hydrogel. The electrical conductivity of hydrogels gives them the capability of motion monitoring. The motion sensing mechanism is that stretching of the hydrogel induced by motion changes the conductivity of the hydrogel, thus converting the motion into an electrical signal. Meanwhile, quercetin-melanin nanoparticles confer exceptional adhesion, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties to the hydrogels. The system ultimately achieved excellent wound repair and motion monitoring performance and was expected to be used for stretch-assisted safe and accurate wound repair in the future.

Zwitterion-Modified MXene Quantum Dot as a Nanocarrier for Traditional Chinese Medicine Sanguinarine Delivery and Its Application for Photothermal-Chemotherapy Synergistic Antibacterial and Wound Healing.

The nanomaterialization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has aroused widespread interest among researchers. Sanguinarine (SAN) is a kind of TCM with good antibacterial properties, which has important applications in anti-infection of wounds. Additionally, the combination of photothermal therapy and chemotherapy can overcome bacterial resistance, further improving bactericidal and wound healing efficiency. In this paper, we prepared an antibacterial agent by loading SAN on the zwitterion-modified MXene quantum dot nanocarrier (SAN@AHEP@Ta4C3), realizing pH/NIR controlled drug release and photothermal/chemotherapy synergistic antibacterial and wound healing. The particle size of SAN@AHEP@Ta4C3 is about 120 nm, and it has a good water solubility and stability. In addition, it also has excellent photothermal conversion performance (η = 39.2%), which can effectively convert light energy into heat energy under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation, further promoting drug release and achieving bactericidal effects by synergistic chemotherapy and photothermal therapy. The in vitro and in vivo experiments show that SAN@AHEP@Ta4C3 exhibits an excellent antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and it can effectively promote the wound healing of mice. Moreover, the SAN@AHEP@Ta4C3 also has good biocompatibility and has no side effects on normal tissue and organs. This work introduces a multifunctional antibacterial agent based on TCM and hot-spot material MXene, which will have considerable application prospects in biomedical fields.

Glucose Responsive Coacervate Protocells from Microfluidics for Diabetic Wound Healing.

The hyperglycemic pathophysiological environment in diabetic wounds is a major obstacle that impedes the healing process. Glucose-responsive wound healing materials are a promising approach to address this challenge. In this study, complex coacervate-based protocells are introduced for diabetic wound healing. By employing a microfluidic chip with an external mechanical vibrator, uniform coacervate microdroplets are generated via electrostatic interactions between diethylaminoethyl-dextran and double-stranded DNA. The spontaneous assembly of a phospholipid membrane on the droplet surface enhances its biocompatibility. Glucose oxidase and copper peroxide nanodots are integrated into microdroplets, enabling a glucose-responsive cascade that produces hydroxyl radicals as antibacterial agents. These features contribute to efficient antibacterial activity and wound healing in diabetic mice. The present protocells facilitate intelligent wound management, and the design of cascade catalytic coacervates can contribute to the development of various smart vehicles for drug delivery.

Synthesis of novel bioadhesive hydrogels via facile Thiol-Ene click chemistry for wound healing applications

Development of outstanding, cost-effective and elastic hydrogels as bioadhesive using Thiol-Ene click chemistry was verified. The visible light photocrosslinkable hydrogels composed of methacrylated chitosan/2,2′-(Ethylenedioxy) diethanethiol formed in presence of eosin-Y photoinitiator. Such hydrogels hold great promise for wound healing applications due to their tunable properties. Main components of hydrogels were extensively characterized using spectroscopic techniques for chemical analysis, thermal analysis, and topologic nanostructure. Various optimization conditions for best gelation time were investigated. Mechanical properties of tensile strength and elongation at break (%) were verified for best wound healing applications. Optimum hydrogel was subjected to for cytotoxicity and microbial suppression evaluation and in-vivo wound healing test for efficient wound healing evaluations. Our results demonstrate the potential use of injectable hydrogels as valuable bioadhesives in bioengineering and biomedical applications, particularly in wound closure and patches.

Immediate but Temporal Response: The Role of Distal Epithelial Cells in Wound Healing.

Efficient oral mucosal wound healing requires coordinated responses from epithelial progenitor cells, yet their spatiotemporal recruitment and activation remain unclear. Using a mouse model of palatal mucosal wound healing, we investigated the dynamics of epithelial cells during this process. Proliferation analysis revealed that, in addition to the expected proliferation center near the wound edge, distal cell populations rapidly activated post-injury by elevating their mitotic activity. These distal cells displayed predominant lateral expansion in the basal layer, suggesting roles beyond just tissue renewal. However, while proximal proliferation center cells sustained heightened proliferation until re-epithelialization was completed, distal cells restored basal turnover rates before wound closure, indicating temporally confined contributions. Lineage tracing of Wnt-responsive epithelial cells showed remarkable clone expansion in basal layers both proximally and distally after wounding, contrasting with gradual clone expansion in homeostasis. Although prioritizing tissue repair, epithelial progenitor cells maintained differentiation programs and barrier functions, with the exception of the leading edge. At the leading edge, we found accelerated cell turnover, but the differentiation program was suspended. In summary, our findings uncovered that oral wound re-epithelialization involves two phases: an initial widespread response with proliferation of proximal and distal cells, followed by proliferation confined to the wound proximal region. Uncovering these stage-specific healing mechanisms provides insights for developing targeted therapeutic strategies to improve wound care.