pH-Switchable Antimicrobial Nanofiber Networks of Hydrogel Eradicate Biofilm and Rescue Stalled Healing in Chronic Wounds

Biofilm infections can induce chronic inflammation and stall the normal orchestrated course of wound-healing cascades. Herein, pH-switchable antimicrobial hydrogel with nanofiber networks for biofilm eradication and rescuing stalled healing in chronic wounds is reported on the basis of the self-assembly of a designed octapeptide (IKFQFHFD) at neutral pH. This hydrogel is biocompatible and exhibits an acidic pH (pathological environment of infected chronic wounds)-switchable broad-spectrum antimicrobial effect via a mechanism involving cell wall and membrane disruption. The antimicrobial activity of hydrogel is derived from its acidic pH-dependent nanofiber network destabilization and activated release of…

• SU
  Shandong University
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 21628201, 31500802
• UG
  University Grants Committee

  Award: N_CUHK422/18
• GO
  Government of Jiangsu Province

  Awards: BRA2017437, BE2018639
• NS
  Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province

  Award: BK20150350
• GO
  Government of Shandong Province