Multifunctional Immunomodulatory Hydrogel With Bacterial Capture Properties, Intelligently Exhibited Viscous or Elastic Properties and On-Demand Removal Properties for the Treatment of Bacterially Infected Irregular Chronic Wound Healing.

Abstract

Bacterial infections can trigger disturbances in the wound's internal environment and overstimulate the inflammatory stress response, causing the formation of chronic wounds and even tricky complications. However, irregular wounds with intricate crevices are prone to hoarding tissue exudate and colonising bacteria. This creates unnecessary headaches for patients and the healthcare system. Herein, a multifunctional immunomodulatory hydrogel for the healing of irregular chronic wounds with bacterial infections is developed. The system, based on the reversible fracture-restructuring property of dynamic chemical bonds, endows the elastic hydrogel with the viscous fluid property. Meanwhile, the bacterial capture properties are utilised to confer the hydrogel with mild and effective antimicrobial properties. By gradually eliminating bacteria and clearing bacteria and bacterial debris from the lesion, the immune stress response is modulated. In addition, the hydrogel adhering to the wound is painlessly removed by dissociation and disruption of the topological cross-linking points. Histopathological analyses revealed that hydrogels alleviate the inflammatory infiltrative condition at the lesion, accelerate the process of angiogenesis and re-epithelialisation, and facilitate the remodelling of the skin and its appendages. Therefore, the multifunctional immunomodulatory hydrogel constructed in this study can efficiently manage the healing of irregular chronic wounds with bacterial infections.