Hybrid Biological Hydrogel Provides Favorable Bioenergetic, Adhesive, and Antioxidative Effects on Wound Healing
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Wound healing is a dynamic and complex process that demands substantial energy expenditure and a biomimetic microenvironment. Developing a simple and effective biological hydrogel to enhance mitochondrial energy metabolism could effectively promote wound healing. To this end, we developed a hybrid biological hydrogel based on Escherichia coli lipoate protein ligase A (LplA), which combines its catalytic and self-assembling properties to promote wound healing. In murine fibroblast L929 cell models, LplA significantly enhances cellular activity and intracellular metabolism, promoting cell proliferation and energy supply. However, cells aggregated into spherical clusters on the pure LplA hydrogel. To address this issue, we integrated glutaraldehyde (GA) as a cross-linker into the LplA hydrogel. The GA-LplA hydrogel enhances cell adhesion and proliferation and, unexpectedly, exhibits higher catalytic activity compared with the pure LplA hydrogel. Furthermore, LplA was observed to decompose H 2 O 2, and the GA-LplA hybrid hydrogel significantly reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The promise of this hybrid hydrogel is successfully demonstrated in a male mice full-thickness skin defect model with accelerated re-epithelialization and cell proliferation while reducing inflammation.
Authors: Xinyi Zhang, Zhijuan Hu, Ralf Pörtner, An-Ping Zeng
Institutions: Westlake University, Hamburg University of Technology
Language: English
Topic: Wound Healing and Treatments
Subfield: Rehabilitation
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
Award: G2742213922
OpenAlex ID: W4410475531