Zhejiang University Direction Ming/Cheng Baoli Theranostics: Nano-defensin-coated hydrogel with bactericidal and regeneration-promoting functions for wound treatment

Host defense peptides (HDPs) have become a new type of wound treatment mode. However, due to their poor pharmacological properties and lack of suitable drug formulations, how to achieve their clinical application is still a big challenge. Nano-defensin (ND) is a nano-engineered human α-defensin 5 (HD5), which has better pharmacological properties than the parent compound.



Hereby, Zhejiang University Professor Ming Xiang, Professor Cheng Baoli and Sorbonne University Shixin Ye designed a nano-defensin-encapsulated hydrogel (NDEFgel), studied the effect of NDEFgel on wound healing, and clarified its underlying mechanism.



Key points of this article:

(1) Experiments The in vitro performance of different NDEFgells was evaluated through in vitro degradation, drug release and antibacterial activity evaluation. In the mouse model of full-thickness resection, NDEFgel with the best performance was applied directly on the wound surface to evaluate its efficacy. In addition, the experiment also explored the mechanism of NDEFgels promotion of regeneration. The research results are full. In addition to its bactericidal effect, ND can also regulate the behavior of fibroblasts by promoting migration and differentiation.







(2) Among the tested hydrogels, Pluronic F127 (Plu) hydrogel is the most ideal ND delivery carrier due to its good controlled release properties and good compatibility with ND. Studies have found that NDEFgel can accelerate wound regeneration and reduce bacterial infections through local treatment. Further studies have shown that NDEFgel treatment can significantly up-regulate collagen deposition and fibroblast-related genes, and increase the expression of myofibroblasts and Rac1. At the same time, the researchers also found that Rac1 is a key factor for ND to induce fibroblast behavior in vitro by relying on Rac1 cytoskeleton rearrangement. In summary, NDEFgel is expected to be used as a new type of dual therapeutic platform for wound treatment.







references:

Gan Luo. et al. Nanodefensin-encased hydrogel with dual bactericidal and pro-regenerative functions for advanced wound therapy. Theranostics. 2021

DOI: 10.7150/thno.53089

https://www.thno.org/v11p3642.htm