Open AccessLiving Bacterial Hydrogels for Accelerated Infected Wound Healing
Author(s) -
Ming Zunzhen,
Han Lin,
Bao Meiyu,
Zhu Huanhuan,
Qiang Sujing,
Xue Shaobo,
Liu Weiwei
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.202102545
Subject(s) - bacteria , wound healing , pathogenic bacteria , lactobacillus reuteri , self healing hydrogels , microbiology and biotechnology , scaffold , in vivo , chemistry , biology , probiotic , medicine , immunology , biomedical engineering , genetics , organic chemistry
Damaged skin cannot prevent harmful bacteria from invading tissues, causing infected wounds and even serious tissue damage. Traditional treatments can not only kill pathogenic bacteria, but also suppress the growth of beneficial bacteria, thus destroying the balance of the damaged skin microbial ecosystem. Here, a living bacterial hydrogel scaffold is reported that accelerates infected wound healing through beneficial bacteria secreting antibacterial substances. Lactobacillus reuteri , a common probiotic, is encapsulated in hydrogel microspheres by emulsion polymerization and further immobilized in a hydrogel network by covalent cross‐linking of methacrylate‐modified hyaluronic acid. Owing to light‐initiated crosslinking, the hydrogel dressing can be generated in situ at the wound site. This hydrogel scaffold not only protects bacteria from immune system attack, but also prevents bacteria from escaping into the local environment, thus avoiding potential threats. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments show that it has excellent ability against harmful bacteria and anti‐inflammatory capabilities, promoting infected wound closure and new tissue regeneration. This work may open up new avenues for the application of living bacteria in the clinical management of infected wounds.