2. Academic Validation
  3. Recombinant collagen microneedles for transdermal delivery of antibacterial copper-DNA nanoparticles to treat skin and soft tissue infections

Recombinant collagen microneedles for transdermal delivery of antibacterial copper-DNA nanoparticles to treat skin and soft tissue infections

  • J Control Release. 2025 Mar 10:379:191-201. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2025.01.016.
Li Zhang 1,  Yifan Chen 2,  Danna Feng 2,  Zheng Xing 2,  Yuhui Wang 2,  Yang Bai 2,  Dongjian Shi 3,  Haihang Li 4,  Xiaoju Fan 4,  Jiang Xia 5,  Jianhao Wang 6
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China; Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
  • 2 School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China.
  • 3 Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
  • 4 Jiangsu Trautec Medical Technology Co., Ltd, Changzhou 213200, PR China.
  • 5 Department of Chemistry, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Electronic address: jiangxia@cuhk.edu.hk.
  • 6 School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China; School of Medical and Health Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, PR China. Electronic address: minuswan@cczu.edu.cn.
PMID: 39793653 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2025.01.016
Abstract

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) include Bacterial infections of the skin, muscles, and connective tissue such as ligaments and tendons. SSTI in patients with immunocompromising diseases may lead to chronic, hard-to-heal infected wounds, resulting in disability, amputation, or even death. To treat SSTI and rebuild the defensive barrier of the skin, here we utilize recombinant type XVII collagen protein (rCol XVII) to construct biodegradable, regenerative collagen microneedles (rCol-MNs) for transdermal delivery of Antibacterial agents. Spheroidal copper-DNA Antibacterial nanoparticles (Cu-CpG NPs; CpG represents short single-stranded synthetic DNA molecules of cytosine and guanine) are synthesized with copper ions and CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs), followed by polydopamine (PDA) coating to obtain Cu-CpG@PDA. Doping Cu-CpG@PDA into rCol-MNs yields Cu-CpG@PDA-loaded rCol-MNs. These microneedles combine the photothermal conversion property of PDA, Antibacterial properties of copper ions, innate immune activation of CpG ODNs, and skin regenerating ability of rCol XVII, allowing the treatment of SSTI and also regenerating the damaged skin. In a mouse model, we show that the Cu-CpG@PDA-loaded rCol-MNs rescue skin wound infections, facilitate the orderly deposition of collagen at the wound site, and promote the healing of infected full-thickness wounds without noticeable scar formation. rCol-MNs serve as a transdermal delivery vehicle and, simultaneously, a reservoir of skin-regenerating recombinant collagen, bringing combined benefits of Infection control and skin regeneration. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Treatment of soft tissue Infection requires the delivery of Antibacterial agents into the soft tissue or dermis while providing a regenerating environment for open wounds. Here, we devise recombinant collagen microneedles (rCol-MNs) to meet both requirements.

Keywords

Antibacterial; Metal-DNA composite; Microneedles; Photothermal therapy; Recombinant collagen; Skin and soft tissue infections.

Figures
Products