Injectable Hydrogel with Photothermal Antibacterial Properties for Accelerating Infected Wound Healing
Bacterial infection and irregular wound morphology are major challenges in clinical wound management. Injectable hydrogels can conform to irregular wound geometries but often lack antimicrobial activity. Here, we report an injectable hydrogel (HPAu gel) formed by sequentially mixing phenylboronic acid-modified hyaluronic acid (HA-PBA) and chloroauric acid under alkaline conditions. The gel's internal multiple crosslinks enable uniform encapsulation of in situ-generated gold nanoparticles. Hydrogen bonds and phenylboronic acid ester bonds confer self-healing, injectability, and adhesion, allowing effective sealing of irregular cavities. In vitro, the hydrogel exhibits long-lasting photothermal stability and eliminates multiple bacterial strains. In a mouse dorsal full-thickness infected wound model, HPAu gel under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation eradicated Staphylococcus aureus, reduced inflammation (TNF-α fluorescence area significantly lower; IL-10 area 12.88‰ vs <2‰ in Blank), promoted vascular regeneration (CD31 and α-SMA expression increased), and accelerated wound healing. This work presents a promising strategy for treating irregular infected wounds.