Biguanide chitosan microneedles with cell-free DNA scavenging ability for psoriasis therapy.

Liu, Zihao; Wang, Yu; Zhang, Yuhan; Hu, Liufu; Chen, Bozhi; Li, Yang; Guo, Xindong; Yu, Bingran et al. · Bioact Mater · 2024

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

High levels of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) induce psoriasis. Currently, the treatment of psoriasis has the disadvantages of penetration difficulty, suppression of normal immunity, and skin irritation. In this study, biguanide chitosan microneedles (BGC-MNs) were prepared to treat psoriasis by removing cfDNA from the dermis through the skin barrier. The effects of chitosan with different bisguanidine contents on DNA-binding capacity, biocompatibility, and inflammation inhibition were compared, revealing that chitosan containing 20% bisguanidine (BGC2) was found to have the best overall performance. <i>In vitro,</i> BGC2 effectively cleared cfDNA and inhibited the production of inflammatory factors. BGC-MN made from BGC2 had good mechanical and solubility properties. <i>In vivo,</i> BGC-MNs cleared cfDNA, reduced the level of inflammatory factors in the dermis, and exerted a good therapeutic effect on mice with psoriasis. These results suggested that BGC-MNs provided a new approach to treating psoriasis in terms of scavenging cfDNA and exerting anti-inflammatory effects.