An Integrated Therapeutic Nanoparticles and Quorum Quenching-Based Microneedle Patch for Bacterial-Infected Wound Healing

Abstract

Skin injuries leading to drug-resistant bacterial infections remain a significant challenge, posing a threat to human health. There is an urgent necessity to develop wound dressings for the treatment of such injuries. The proceeding study presents the design of a multifunctional microneedle (MNs) patch containing quorum-quenching enzyme and manganese dioxide (MnO₂) nanoparticles for treating Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected wounds. In co-culture experiments with P. aeruginosa, the quorum-quenching enzyme significantly reduced the production of virulence factors and inhibited biofilm formation. MnO₂ NPs exhibited excellent scavenging ability against a wide range of free radicals when assayed in in vitro antioxidant assays. Subsequently, soluble hyaluronic acid is chosen as the substrate in order to prepare the MNs patches loaded with quorum quenching enzyme and MnO₂ NPs for wound healing assessment in a P. aeruginosa-infected mouse wound model. Evaluation of wound size and closure rate demonstrated that the patch significantly accelerated wound healing, resulting in shorter healing durations and improved wound closure. Additionally, inflammation-related cytokine levels are reduced, indicating a lower level of inflammation. Tissue section staining shows that treatment with MNs promoted wound epithelialization, collagen deposition, and angiogenesis. The multifunctional MNs patch represents a promising treatment option for drug-resistant bacterial infections in wound management.