Rapid-Fabricated and Recoverable Dual-Network Hydrogel with Inherently Anti-Bacterial Abilities for Potential Adhesive Dressings

To satisfy the ever-accelerated demands for advanced engineering biomaterials with excellent physicochemical properties, injectable and recoverable dual-network (DN) hydrogels based on poly(l-lysine)-graft-4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (PLL-g-HPA) and Aga are constructed by simply mixing PLL-g-HPA/HRP and PLL-g-HPA/H2O2 in Aga through enzyme-catalyzed cross-linkage of PLL-g-HPA and temperature-adjusted sol-gel transition of Aga. The recoverable and injectable performances of hydrogels are attributed to the reversible sol-gel transitional feature of Aga and enzymatically cross-linked reaction of PLL-g-HPA. DN hydrogels have fast and adjusted gelation time, connective pore structure, superior formability, and good biocompatibility. The helically structural Aga network endows the hydrogels with good mechanical strength and superior stability in extreme condition. Schiff-base effect between amino in skin tissues and carbonyl formed by the oxidation of phenol groups in hydrogel imparts the hydrogels to promising tissue attachment. Bursting pressure assay illustrates that the bursting pressure (34.5 +/- 2.4 kPa) for 13.6% DN hydrogel is much higher than arterial blood pressure (16 kPa). The incorporated cationic PLL-g-HPA gives the hydrogels remarkable antibacterial ability, which effectively prevents the bacterial infection. In conclusion, the DN hydrogel with good cytocompatibility, inherently antibacterial ability, tissue adhesion, and excellent stability in extreme environment is probably able to become a promising candidate as potential wound dressings.

Automated summary

The study introduces injectable and recoverable dual-network hydrogels with excellent physicochemical properties and biocompatibility, making them a promising candidate for potential wound dressings. The hydrogels, based on PLL-g-HPA and Aga, exhibit fast gelation time, connective pore structure, good formability, and superior stability in extreme conditions. Additionally, the hydrogels have a helical structure and antibacterial ability, making them suitable for tissue attachment and preventing bacterial infection.