Nanocascade Engineering Workshop for Synergistic Microenvironment Reprogramming and EpSC Revitalization in Precise Diabetic Wound Therapy

R Rong Shi C Chao Hu W Wei Zhang L Luyao Wan (MOE Key Laboratory of Advanced Micro-structured Materials, School of Physics Sciences and Engineering, Tongji University 1 , Shanghai 200092,) Y Yuxin Shi N Ni Zhen (Institute of Modern Optics, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering) Z Zhengwei Mao B Binghua Zhou G Gaoxing Luo J Jun Deng (Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Chronic wounds are life‐threatening conditions characterized by impaired closure. Chronic inflammation and impaired regeneration and repair lead to the pathological phenotype of chronic diabetic wounds and reduce drug efficacy. In this study, we found that the poor proliferative and differentiative ability of epidermal stem cells (EpSCs) within an inflammatory microenvironment is a key factor contributing to the delayed healing of chronic diabetic wounds. To address this issue, we designed a nanocascade engineering workshop (Cu 5.4 O@LL‐37/pDNA) capable of simultaneously reshaping the inflammatory microenvironment and activating EpSC functions to promote rapid wound closure. The workshop used a core–shell structure design. The core, an ultrasmall Cu 5.4 O nanozyme, can efficiently eliminate reactive oxygen species, enhance the inflammatory response, and transform the pathological wound microenvironment into a niche facilitating regeneration. The shell is constructed through the electrostatic assembly of plasmid DNA (pDNA) and the antibacterial peptide LL‐37, enhancing gene transfection efficiency and inhibiting bacterial infection effectively. By leveraging its dual advantages in microenvironment modulation and structural design, the system substantially improves gene delivery and facilitates sustained P311 expression, thereby promoting EpSC proliferation and differentiation. This nanotherapy reshaping the microenvironment and activating EpSC function accelerates re‐epithelialization and wound closure in both diabetes and infection models. This treatment strategy is a novel approach to achieve durable and effective healing in chronic wounds.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 38, Issue 21
Published April 01, 2026
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (10)

R

Rong Shi

C

Chao Hu

W

Wei Zhang

L

Luyao Wan

MOE Key Laboratory of Advanced Micro-structured Materials, School of Physics Sciences and Engineering, Tongji University 1 , Shanghai 200092,

Y

Yuxin Shi

N

Ni Zhen

Institute of Modern Optics, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering

Z

Zhengwei Mao

B

Binghua Zhou

G

Gaoxing Luo

J

Jun Deng

Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research