An Antibacterial, Conductive Nanocomposite Hydrogel Coupled with Electrical Stimulation for Accelerated Wound Healing.

Background: Electrical stimulation (ES) can effectively promote skin wound healing; however, single-electrode-based ES strategies are difficult to cover the entire wound area, and the effectiveness of ES is often limited by the inconsistent mechanical properties of the electrode and wound tissue. The above factors may lead to ES treatment is not ideal.

Methods: A multifunctional conductive hydrogel dressing containing methacrylated gelatin (GelMA), TiC and collagen binding antimicrobial peptides (V-Os) was developed to improve wound management. TiC was selected as the electrode component due to its excellent electrical conductivity, the modified antimicrobial peptide V-Os could replace traditional antibiotics to suppress bacterial infections, and GelMA hydrogel was used due to its clinical applicability in wound healing.

Results: The results showed that this new hydrogel dressing (GelMA@TiC/V-Os) not only has excellent electrical conductivity and biocompatibility but also has a durable and efficient bactericidal effect. The modified antimicrobial peptides V-Os used were able to bind more closely to GelMA hydrogel to exert long-lasting antibacterial effects. The results of cell experiment showed that the GelMA@TiC/V-Os hydrogel dressing could enhance the effect of current stimulation and significantly improve the migration, proliferation and tissue repair related genes expression of fibroblasts. In vitro experiments results showed that under ES, GelMA@TiC/V-Os hydrogel dressing could promote re-epithelialization, enhance angiogenesis, mediate immune response and prevent wound infection.

Conclusion: This multifunctional nanocomposite hydrogel could provide new strategies for promoting infectious wound healing.