A Temporally Programmed Microneedles Platform for Long‐Acting Regulation and Rapid Sensing of Systemic Copper Dyshomeostasis

ABSTRACT Developing a minimally invasive platform capable of simultaneously enabling long‐acting copper metabolism regulation and rapid copper sensing remains a critical unmet challenge in addressing systemic copper dyshomeostasis. Here, we report a temporally programmed dual‐module microneedles platform integrating bio‐inspired nanosponges (BQMNPs) as an intradermal microreservoir system with combined diagnostic and therapeutic functions. BQMNPs are constructed by encapsulating quercetin and morin within cyclodextrin nanosponges, which are subsequently incorporated into two distinct microneedle modules: polylactic‐co‐glycolic acid (PLGA)‐based therapeutic microneedles (T‐MNs) and hyaluronic acid (HA)‐based diagnostic microneedles (D‐MNs). In vitro, BQMNPs exhibit multifunctional performance, enabling Cu 2+ imaging while simultaneously improving cell viability and attenuating inflammatory cytokine expression in Cu 2+ ‐induced injury and oxidative stress cell models. In a high‐copper/high‐glucose mouse model, the T‐MNs module allows sustained BQMNP release for over 10 days, achieving long‐acting restoration of copper homeostasis, mitigation of Cu 2+ ‐induced hyperglycemia, and systemic detoxification. Remarkably, sustained copper homeostasis regulation markedly suppresses brain inflammation, thereby alleviating Cu 2+ ‐mediated tissue injury. Concomitantly, a fast‐dissolving D‐MNs module provides rapid intradermal Cu 2+ sensing in vivo, synchronizing Cu 2+ sensing with prolonged systemic intervention. This temporally programmed theranostic microneedle architecture offers a versatile strategy for precision regulation of metal‐ion homeostasis and may inspire new therapeutic approaches for metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases.

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Journal
Small
Published
2026-09-21
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.75829
Primary Topic
Advancements in Transdermal Drug Delivery
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article
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article

A Temporally Programmed Microneedles Platform for Long‐Acting Regulation and Rapid Sensing of Systemic Copper Dyshomeostasis

Xu‐Wei Qi, Bang‐Jing Li, Zu-E Hu, Jun Li et al.
Small
Advancements in Transdermal Drug Delivery
article

A Temporally Programmed Microneedles Platform for Long‐Acting Regulation and Rapid Sensing of Systemic Copper Dyshomeostasis

Xu‐Wei Qi, Bang‐Jing Li, Zu-E Hu, Jun Li, Jiaxin Wang, Yifan Wang, Ye-Tao Zhang, Jing Li, Ya‐Hui Chen, Cheng‐Cheng Liang, Sheng Zhang, Jing Li
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Developing a minimally invasive platform capable of simultaneously enabling long‐acting copper metabolism regulation and rapid copper sensing remains a critical unmet challenge in addressing systemic copper dyshomeostasis. Here, we report a temporally programmed dual‐module microneedles platform integrating bio‐inspired nanosponges (BQMNPs) as an intradermal microreservoir system with combined diagnostic and therapeutic functions. BQMNPs are constructed by encapsulating quercetin and morin within cyclodextrin nanosponges, which are subsequently incorporated into two distinct microneedle modules: polylactic‐co‐glycolic acid (PLGA)‐based therapeutic microneedles (T‐MNs) and hyaluronic acid (HA)‐based diagnostic microneedles (D‐MNs). In vitro, BQMNPs exhibit multifunctional performance, enabling Cu 2+ imaging while simultaneously improving cell viability and attenuating inflammatory cytokine expression in Cu 2+ ‐induced injury and oxidative stress cell models. In a high‐copper/high‐glucose mouse model, the T‐MNs module allows sustained BQMNP release for over 10 days, achieving long‐acting restoration of copper homeostasis, mitigation of Cu 2+ ‐induced hyperglycemia, and systemic detoxification. Remarkably, sustained copper homeostasis regulation markedly suppresses brain inflammation, thereby alleviating Cu 2+ ‐mediated tissue injury. Concomitantly, a fast‐dissolving D‐MNs module provides rapid intradermal Cu 2+ sensing in vivo, synchronizing Cu 2+ sensing with prolonged systemic intervention. This temporally programmed theranostic microneedle architecture offers a versatile strategy for precision regulation of metal‐ion homeostasis and may inspire new therapeutic approaches for metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases.

Small
National University of Singapore (SG), Ingenierie des Materiaux polymeres (FR), Chengdu Institute of Biology (CN), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 13%
Advancements in Transdermal Drug Delivery
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