Mussel-Inspired\nDual-Cross-linking Hyaluronic Acid/ε-Polylysine\nHydrogel with Self-Healing and Antibacterial Properties for Wound\nHealing

Abstract

Physicians have long\nbeen calling for an inherent antimicrobial\nwound dressing, which will be a great progress for treating complicated\ninfections. Here, we report a novel bioadhesive hydrogel with inherent\nantibacterial properties prepared by mixing modified hyaluronic acid\n(HA) and ε-polylysine (EPL). This hydrogel can effectively kill\nGram (+) and (−) bacteria for its high positive charge density\non the surface. The sol–gel transition occurs within seconds\nvia horseradish peroxidase enzymatic cross-linking and Schiff base\nreaction, which also allows the hydrogel to recover completely from\ndestruction quickly within 5 min. In an infected rat wound model,\nhistological studies indicated that the hydrogels effectively killed\nbacteria on the surface of wounds and accelerated wound healing. Histological\nanalysis indicated that the thickness of the newborn skin, the density\nof the newborn microvascular, granulation tissue, and the collagen\nof rats treated with hydrogel dressings were twice as high as those\ntreated by commercial fibrin glue. These results indicate that the\nHA/EPL hydrogel has great potential as an antibacterial wound dressing\nfor future clinical applications.