Polysaccharide-engineered mitochondria reprogram macrophages to resolve diabetic wound inflammation and promote repair.

Yu, Chenyan; Feng, Qian; Liao, Yuheng; Tan, Meijun; Zhao, Yanzhi; Chen, Lang; Zhang, Wenqian; Lin, Chuanlu et al. · Bioact Mater · 2026

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Chronic diabetic wounds are characterized by persistent inflammation, defective resolution and impaired tissue regeneration, in which macrophage dysfunction and mitochondrial damage play central roles. Here, we developed a macrophage-targeted engineered mitochondrial transplantation system by coating adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) mitochondria with triphenylphosphonium-modified konjac glucomannan (Mito-TPP-KGM). This design preserves mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production while reducing ROS generation, and provides a mannose-rich corona for lectin receptor-related uptake. In RAW264.7 macrophages exposed to high glucose plus H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> or LPS, Mito-TPP-KGM is efficiently internalized, restores mitochondrial homeostasis, rebalances glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, and shifts inflammatory profiles toward a less inflammatory and more reparative phenotype. Engineered mitochondria also restore efferocytosis of apoptotic neutrophil-like cells and enhance the pro-angiogenic capacity of macrophage-conditioned media, thereby improving endothelial tube formation, migration and proliferation. Blocking experiments with mannan and anti-CD206/anti-DC-SIGN antibodies, together with species-specific mtDNA quantification, indicate that mannose-type lectin receptors contribute to the uptake and immunomodulatory effects of Mito-TPP-KGM. In a db/db mouse full-thickness wound model, local delivery of Mito-TPP-KGM promotes wound repair, improves histological healing, reduces oxidative damage, enhances angiogenesis, and modulates wound macrophage phenotype, leading to accelerated wound closure; these therapeutic benefits are partially attenuated by local CD206 blockade. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that polysaccharide-engineered mitochondria can reprogram diabetic wound macrophages via targeted mitochondrial transplantation, offering a promising immunometabolic strategy for chronic wound therapy.