Bacteria activated-macrophage membrane-coated tough nanocomposite hydrogel with targeted photothermal antibacterial ability for infected wound healing

Antibacterial hydrogels have attracted extensive attention for preventing bacterial infection as wound dressing. However, development of broad-spectrum antibacterial hydrogel with a specific recognition ability and high strength remains challenging. In this work, a novel multifunctional nanocomposite antibacterial hydrogel with high strength and toughness is prepared by one-pot polymerization of hydrogen bonding monomer N-acryloyl glycinamide (NAGA) mixing with polydopamine-coated gold nanorods (Au@PDA NRs). The PNAGA-Au@PDA hydrogels are then coated with E. coli or S. aureus-pretreated macrophage membrane (termed as E/SMMPNAGA-Au@PDA). Intriguingly, the resultant hydrogels can recognize specifically the source bacteria, and kill 98% bacteria in vitro under NIR irradiation for 5 min. Importantly, the SMM-PNAGA-Au@PDA hydrogel implanted on the dorsal area of rats can facilitate the infected wound healing and avoid secondary damage during peeling. This tough nanocomposite hydrogel coated with specific bacteria-activated macrophage membrane is promising to be developed as wound dressing, artificial skin and load-bearing scaffolds.

Automated summary

A novel multifunctional nanocomposite antibacterial hydrogel with high strength and toughness has been successfully prepared, which can specifically recognize the source bacteria and kill 98% of bacteria. This hydrogel implanted in rats can promote the healing of infected wounds and avoid secondary damage.