A TLR4-Targeting Bio-Active Peptide Hydrogel to Regulate Immune-Microenvironment for Diabetic Wound Repair.

Persistent inflammation and disrupted immunoregulation are critical factors in impeding diabetic wound healing. While immunoregulatory hydrogel dressings hold significant promise for clinical applications in diabetic wound healing, the current application often demands intricate interventions and high-cost treatments involving cytokines and cell therapies. The development of single component immunoregulatory hydrogels remains a complex challenge. To address this issue, we engineered an active peptide hydrogel with immunoregulatory properties targeting the TLR4/NF-kB pathway, aiming to promote rapid diabetic wound healing. The hydrogel sequence comprises naphthalene derivative, phenylalanine and glycine to modulate hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristics. The amino group on arginine contributes to tissue adhesion and regulation of intermolecular forces, ultimately yielding stable gels. Our results underscore the formation of the peptide hydrogel (NFA) via the physical crosslinking of self-assembled nanofibers in water, thereby affording both excellent injectability and tissue adhesion. Notably, NFA demonstrated significant potential in promoting wound healing in a mouse model with full-thickness wounds by regulating macrophage responses in the inflammatory microenvironment through the TLR4/NF-kB pathway. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.