Major Breakthrough in "Diabetic Wound Healing"! Chinese Team Develops MXene Microneedle Patch, Achieving 98% Closure Rate in Just 10 Days!

Original

Yimai Tong

Yimai Tong

Department of Endocrinology, Yimai Tong

March 14, 2026, 19:58

Beijing

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Introduction:​ Diabetic chronic wounds are often difficult to heal due to excessive inflammation and impaired angiogenesis. Traditional therapies face limitations such as poor skin barrier penetration and insufficient targeting. Recently, a research team from Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Zhongda Hospital affiliated to Southeast University, and the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University jointly developed a novel MXene hydrogel microneedle patch. By precisely controlling the co-release of Nitric Oxide (NO) and Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) plasmids via Near-Infrared (NIR) light, the patch significantly accelerated the healing process of diabetic wounds-achieving a staggering 98% wound closure rate in just 10 days​ in a diabetic mouse model! This research has been published in the journal Engineering.

PART 01: Clinical Dilemmas in Diabetic Wound Treatment

Diabetic wounds represent one of the major medical challenges today, characterized by prolonged healing times and susceptibility to severe complications. Pathologically, these wounds are typically accompanied by excessive inflammatory responses and impaired angiogenic function, hindering neovascularization and subsequently delaying overall healing. Traditional clinical interventions have obvious limitations, such as difficulty in effectively penetrating the skin barrier, often only providing symptomatic relief without reversing the underlying pathological mechanisms. To break this bottleneck, researchers proposed a novel delivery strategy based on MXene hydrogel microneedles (MNs)​ aimed at achieving the controlled release of NO and HIF-1α plasmid nanoparticles.

PART 02: Material Design and Photo-Controlled Release Mechanism

The microneedle patch system utilizes a matrix of MXene gelatin hydrogel, which boasts excellent biocompatibility, and incorporates Gel-SNO (S-Nitrosated Gelatin)​ polymers conjugated with tert-butyl nitrite. This exquisite material design endows the microneedles with unique "photo-responsive" characteristics.

Under Near-Infrared (NIR)​ irradiation, the microneedle system undergoes the following key biophysical changes:

Photothermal Conversion & Needle Dissolution:​ The MXene additive possesses enhanced photothermal conversion efficiency. The thermal effect generated under NIR irradiation allows the microneedle patch to rapidly dissolve, directly and precisely releasing the encapsulated HIF-1α plasmid nanoparticles into the skin dermis.

Generation and Release of NO:​ The thermal effect simultaneously triggers the Gel-SNO polymer to generate and release Nitric Oxide (NO).

In this dual-track delivery mechanism, the released NO is primarily responsible for exerting anti-inflammatory effects, while the HIF-1α plasmid induces angiogenesis, synergistically advancing wound repair.

PART 03: 98% Closure Rate in Just 10 Days!

1. In Vitro Experiments: Molecular Validation of Anti-Inflammation and Angiogenesis

Cellular experiments confirmed that NO released from Gel-SNO exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity, significantly downregulating the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α. Furthermore, the released HIF-1α plasmid nanoparticles effectively upregulated HIF-1α expression in the wound microenvironment, subsequently triggering the secretion of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), providing a crucial molecular basis for tissue regeneration.

2. In Vivo Experiments: Tissue Remodeling and High Closure Rate

In a diabetic mouse model (approved by the Experimental Animal Welfare and Ethics Committee of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital), the microneedle patch demonstrated outstanding healing-promoting efficacy.

Wound Closure Metrics:​ By day 10 of treatment, the wound closure rate reached an astonishing 98%, significantly accelerating the healing process.

Histological and Pathological Analysis:​ Histological observations showed that microneedle treatment promoted the formation of healthy granulation tissue and epithelial layers, with collagen deposition exhibiting a high degree of order and density, indicating reinforced extracellular matrix (ECM) reconstruction and tissue remodeling.

Immunohistochemical Features:​ Immunohistochemical staining further corroborated improvements at the microscopic level-IL-6 levels in the treatment group were significantly reduced, while levels of VEGFA and CD31 (endothelial cell marker) were significantly elevated, fully demonstrating the alleviation of local inflammation and the effective reconstruction of the neovascular network.

PART 04: Conclusions and Clinical Translation Prospects

This study indicates that MXene hydrogel microneedles integrated with controllable release of NO and HIF-1α plasmids hold immense potential in regulating the wound microenvironment, inhibiting excessive inflammation, and promoting tissue regeneration. As a novel therapeutic vector with clear targeting and precise intervention, this microneedle technology not only provides a highly promising candidate solution for the treatment of diabetic chronic wounds but is also expected to be extended to other types of chronic refractory wounds. Future research will focus on the further optimization of this microneedle system and its translational application in clinical settings, aiming to tangibly improve wound care quality and long-term patient prognosis.