Bacteria microenvironment-responsive missile microneedles modulate immunity and penetrate biofilm for diabetic wound therapy
Diabetic wounds, affecting ∼25 % of patients with diabetes, present a therapeutic challenge due to persistent inflammation driven by MCP-1-mediated immune dysregulation and bacterial biofilm formation. We developed a bilayer microneedle system (DAg/HTMS-MNs) combining dextran-modified silver nanoparticles for deep-tissue antibacterial action with heparin-coated taurine-loaded microspheres for immunomodulation. The upper microneedle segment enables biofilm penetration through lectin targeting and gas propulsion, while the lower segment implements a "global decompression-local enhancement" strategy: heparin sequesters MCP-1 to reduce inflammatory cell recruitment, and sustained taurine release promotes macrophage reprogramming to M2 phenotypes. Systematic evaluation demonstrated simultaneous biofilm eradication, inflammation resolution (2-fold enhanced M2 polarization), and accelerated wound healing. This "missile-guided" approach represents a paradigm shift in diabetic wound therapy by concurrently addressing infection control, oxidative stress, and immune dysregulation in a spatially and temporally controlled manner.
Authors
- Yuanzheng Zhu
- Xiao Cheng Zeng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4672-8585)
- Wenbing Wan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1783-3006)
- Yangyan Yi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4070-6297)
- Meilin Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5835-3406)
- Hengyu Wu
- Heecheol Kang
- Ying Peng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7958-8067)
- Ganghua Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9016-2983)
Institutions
- Nanchang University (CN)
- First Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi Medical College (CN)
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Bioactive Materials
- Published
- 2025-09-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioactmat.2025.09.017
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Wound Healing and Treatments
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.03