Freeze‐resistant, conductive semi‐interpenetrating network hydrogels enable oxidative stress regulation and enhanced wound healing

Abstract Accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) following skin injury impairs tissue regeneration by inducing inflammation, oxidative damage, and cellular apoptosis. To address this challenge, we developed a multifunctional semi‐interpenetrating polymer network hydrogel composed of silk fibroin methacrylate (SFMA) and Pluronic F127 (PF). The optimized SFMA9/PF1 hydrogel exhibits excellent mechanical compliance, electrical conductivity, antioxidant activity, and anti‐freezing capacity. Incorporation of PF enhanced porosity, water retention, and ionic conductivity (∼0.42 S·cm −1 ), while preserving optical transparency and tunable viscoelasticity. Rheological and degradation analyses demonstrated outstanding elasticity, thermal stability, strain resistance, and sustained biodegradability under physiological conditions. Notably, the hydrogel maintains flexibility and structural integrity at subzero temperatures (−20°C and −80°C), indicating strong freeze resistance. In vitro assays confirmed superior cytocompatibility, with significant promotion of fibroblast adhesion, migration, and proliferation. The hydrogel also exhibited potent antioxidant capacity, effectively scavenging 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl and H 2 O 2 radicals and reducing intracellular ROS levels. In a full‐thickness skin wound model in SD rats, SFMA9/PF1 hydrogel accelerated wound closure, enhanced re‐epithelialization, and promoted organized collagen remodeling. Histological and immunofluorescence analyses revealed increased angiogenesis (CD31), reduced myofibroblast activation (α‐SMA), and suppressed pro‐inflammatory cytokine expression (IL‐6), indicating the establishment of a regenerative and anti‐inflammatory microenvironment. Overall, the SFMA9/PF1 hydrogel integrates mechanical adaptability, bioactivity, and oxidative stress modulation, representing a promising platform for advanced wound healing and skin tissue engineering.

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Publication Details

Journal
Interdisciplinary medicine
Published
2026-01-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/inmd.70097
Primary Topic
Wound Healing and Treatments
Type
article
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article

Freeze‐resistant, conductive semi‐interpenetrating network hydrogels enable oxidative stress regulation and enhanced wound healing

Kaiyi Tang, Lijing Teng, Yanqin Yu, Xinyuan He et al.
Interdisciplinary medicine
Wound Healing and Treatments
article

Freeze‐resistant, conductive semi‐interpenetrating network hydrogels enable oxidative stress regulation and enhanced wound healing

Kaiyi Tang, Lijing Teng, Yanqin Yu, Xinyuan He, Tianbao Qian, Zuquan Hu, Zhu Zeng
article en

Abstract

Abstract Accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) following skin injury impairs tissue regeneration by inducing inflammation, oxidative damage, and cellular apoptosis. To address this challenge, we developed a multifunctional semi‐interpenetrating polymer network hydrogel composed of silk fibroin methacrylate (SFMA) and Pluronic F127 (PF). The optimized SFMA9/PF1 hydrogel exhibits excellent mechanical compliance, electrical conductivity, antioxidant activity, and anti‐freezing capacity. Incorporation of PF enhanced porosity, water retention, and ionic conductivity (∼0.42 S·cm −1 ), while preserving optical transparency and tunable viscoelasticity. Rheological and degradation analyses demonstrated outstanding elasticity, thermal stability, strain resistance, and sustained biodegradability under physiological conditions. Notably, the hydrogel maintains flexibility and structural integrity at subzero temperatures (−20°C and −80°C), indicating strong freeze resistance. In vitro assays confirmed superior cytocompatibility, with significant promotion of fibroblast adhesion, migration, and proliferation. The hydrogel also exhibited potent antioxidant capacity, effectively scavenging 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl and H 2 O 2 radicals and reducing intracellular ROS levels. In a full‐thickness skin wound model in SD rats, SFMA9/PF1 hydrogel accelerated wound closure, enhanced re‐epithelialization, and promoted organized collagen remodeling. Histological and immunofluorescence analyses revealed increased angiogenesis (CD31), reduced myofibroblast activation (α‐SMA), and suppressed pro‐inflammatory cytokine expression (IL‐6), indicating the establishment of a regenerative and anti‐inflammatory microenvironment. Overall, the SFMA9/PF1 hydrogel integrates mechanical adaptability, bioactivity, and oxidative stress modulation, representing a promising platform for advanced wound healing and skin tissue engineering.

Interdisciplinary medicine
Guiyang Medical University (CN), Guizhou University (CN)
Clean water and sanitation
Openalex Percentile: Top 84%
Wound Healing and Treatments
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