Antimicrobial Efficient Biological Adhesive for Infected Wound Repair: Robust Tissue Adhesion, Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Activity, and Scar Minimization.

Abstract

Chronic infected wounds face dual challenges of inflammatory dysregulation and biofilm persistence, resulting in delayed healing and pathological scarring. Current bioadhesives lack microenvironmental adaptability and multifunctionality, often aggravating tissue damage. Here, a protein-based bioadhesive is engineered by integrating a Lanmodulin (LanM) module with an arginine-rich elastin-like (Rprotein) module and incorporating lanthanide ions (Ln³⁺), which induced a conformational transition in LanM, enhancing its hydrogen bonding and molecular packing. The fabricated materials achieve high adhesive strengths, outperforming many commercial adhesives. The R-protein module enables potent antibacterial activity, eliminating 99.9% of bacteria within 30 min by disrupting biofilms, interfering with metabolism, and inducing reactive oxygen species accumulation. In murine models, the adhesive promotes angiogenesis (CD31+ density: 34.68 vs 8.08 vessels mm^- ²) and collagen remodeling, achieving 97% wound closure. This biphasic adhesive not only combines robust mechanical properties, rapid antibacterial action, and pro-regenerative effects but also represents a transformative approach for treating chronic infected wounds, with significant potential for clinical translation in advanced wound care.