Conjugated Polymer Composite Nanoparticles Augmenting Photosynthesis‐Based Light‐Triggered Hydrogel Promotes Chronic Wound Healing

Abstract

Diabetic chronic wounds are characterized by local hypoxia, impaired angiogenesis, and bacterial infection. In situ, self‐supply of dissolved oxygen combined with the elimination of bacteria is urgent and challenging for chronic nonhealing wound treatment. Herein, an oxygen‐generating system named HA‐L‐NB/PFE@cp involving biological photosynthetic chloroplasts (cp)/conjugated polymer composite nanoparticles (PFE‐1‐NPs@cp) and light‐triggered hyaluronic acid‐based (HA‐L‐NB) hydrogel for promoting diabetic wound healing is introduced. Briefly, conjugated polymer nanoparticles (PFE‐1‐NPs) possess unique light harvesting ability, which accelerates the electron transport rates in photosystem II (PS II) by energy transfer, elevating photosynthesis beyond natural chloroplasts. The enhanced release of oxygen can greatly relieve hypoxia, promote cell migration, and favor antibacterial photodynamic therapy. Additionally, the injectable hydrogel precursors are employed as a carrier to deliver PFE‐1‐NPs@cp into the wound. Under light irradiation, they quickly form a gel by S‐nitrosylation coupling reaction and in situ anchor on tissues through amine‐aldehyde condensation. Both in vitro and in vivo assays demonstrate that the oxygen‐generating system can simultaneously relieve wound hypoxia, eliminate bacteria, and promote cell migration, leading to the acceleration of wound healing. This study provides a facile approach to develop an enhanced oxygen self‐sufficient system for promoting hypoxic tissue, especially diabetic wound healing.

Gases and gas-releasing materials for the treatment of chronic diabetic wounds

“…113 In a recent study, the authors proposed a novel oxygen-generating complex (HA-L-NB/PFE@cp) based on biological photosynthetic chloroplasts (spinach source)/conjugated polymer composite nanoparticles (PFE-1-NPs@cp) and light-triggered HA-L-NB hydrogels (HA-L-NB/PFE@cp). 114 In it, a nitroso group formed on the hyaluronic acid (HA) chain under 395 nm light is coupled to a thiol group on another HA branch by a rapid S-nitroso coupling reaction, resulting in gelation of the hydrogel (Fig. 4a).…”