A strain-programmed patch for the healing of diabetic wounds

A polymer patch that rapidly and robustly adheres to diabetic wounds and contracts in a pre-programmed manner promotes wound closure and re-epithelialization, as shown in mouse and human skin, in mini-pigs and in humanized mice. Diabetic foot ulcers and other chronic wounds with impaired healing can be treated with bioengineered skin or with growth factors. However, most patients do not benefit from these treatments. Here we report the development and preclinical therapeutic performance of a strain-programmed patch that rapidly and robustly adheres to diabetic wounds, and promotes wound closure and re-epithelialization. The patch consists of a dried adhesive layer of crosslinked polymer networks bound to a pre-stretched hydrophilic elastomer backing, and implements a hydration-based shape-memory mechanism to mechanically contract diabetic wounds in a programmable manner on the basis of analytical and finite-element modelling. In mouse and human skin, and in mini-pigs and humanized mice, the patch enhanced the healing of diabetic wounds by promoting faster re-epithelialization and angiogenesis, and the enrichment of fibroblast populations with a pro-regenerative phenotype. Strain-programmed patches might also be effective for the treatment of other forms of acute and chronic wounds.

Automated summary

A polymer patch that adheres to diabetic wounds and contracts in a pre-programmed manner has shown to promote wound closure and re-epithelialization in mouse and human skin, in mini-pigs and in humanized mice. The patch consists of a dried adhesive layer of crosslinked polymer networks and a pre-stretched hydrophilic elastomer backing, utilizing a hydration-based shape-memory mechanism. In preclinical trials, the patch enhanced the healing of diabetic wounds by promoting faster re-epithelialization and angiogenesis, and enriching the fibroblast populations with a pro-regenerative phenotype.