Microneedle-mediated co-delivery of biomimetic melanin and pro-regenerative factors for oxidative and immune modulation in vitiligo
- 1Institute of Dermatology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510095, PR China
- 2Department of Dermatology, Guangzhou Dermatology Hospital, Guangzhou, 510095, PR China
Abstract
Vitiligo lesions are characterized by elevated epidermal oxidative stress, cytotoxic immune activation, and impaired melanogenesis, while conventional topical therapies often fail to modulate these pathogenic events due to limited skin penetration and therapeutic depth. To address these challenges, a dual-layer gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)/hyaluronic acid methacryloyl (HAMA)//hyaluronic acid (HA) (Gel//HA) microneedle system was engineered. The inner HA layer rapidly dissolves upon insertion, releasing keratinocyte-membrane-coated artificial melanin nanoparticles (MPDA) to achieve early reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and targeted delivery to keratinocytes. The outer Gel hydrogel layer enables sustained intradermal delivery of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and tyrosinase (TYR), supporting melanocyte survival and restoring melanin synthesis. The microneedles exhibited robust mechanical strength (0.234 ± 0.014 N/needle) with a penetration depth of approximately 300-350 μm. In vitro, the cumulative release of bFGF and TYR reached 65% and 70% within the first 72 h, respectively, and subsequently increased more gradually to 92.1% and 90.7% by day 21. In vitro, the combined administration of MPDA, bFGF, and TYR, mitigated H2O2-induced oxidative injury and enhanced keratinocyte viability. In a monobenzone-induced mouse model, Gel@bFGF/TYR//HA@MPDA treatment markedly promoted repigmentation, restored epidermal melanin deposition, and reduced the expression of CD8, IFN-γ, and TNF-α. Transcriptomic analysis further revealed suppression of ferroptosis-related genes and reactivation of the Wnt–Frizzled–MITF melanogenic signaling axis. This spatially designed microneedle system provides coordinated antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and pro-melanogenic effects, offering a promising localized therapeutic strategy for vitiligo.
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BibTeX
@article{liang2026microneedlemediated,
title = {{Microneedle-mediated co-delivery of biomimetic melanin and pro-regenerative factors for oxidative and immune modulation in vitiligo}},
author = {Jingyao Liang and Wenyan Liu and Yu Jiang and Yihui Yu and Qian Li and Yuyan Zhang and Wei Li and Xibao Zhang},
journal = {Materials Today Bio},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103757},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103757},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Microneedle-mediated co-delivery of biomimetic melanin and pro-regenerative factors for oxidative and immune modulation in vitiligo
AU - Jingyao Liang
AU - Wenyan Liu
AU - Yu Jiang
AU - Yihui Yu
AU - Qian Li
AU - Yuyan Zhang
AU - Wei Li
AU - Xibao Zhang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/17
JO - Materials Today Bio
DO - 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103757
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103757
AB - Vitiligo lesions are characterized by elevated epidermal oxidative stress, cytotoxic immune activation, and impaired melanogenesis, while conventional topical therapies often fail to modulate these pathogenic events due to limited skin penetration and therapeutic depth. To address these challenges, a dual-layer gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)/hyaluronic acid methacryloyl (HAMA)//hyaluronic acid (HA) (Gel//HA) microneedle system was engineered. The inner HA layer rapidly dissolves upon insertion, releasing keratinocyte-membrane-coated artificial melanin nanoparticles (MPDA) to achieve early reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and targeted delivery to keratinocytes. The outer Gel hydrogel layer enables sustained intradermal delivery of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and tyrosinase (TYR), supporting melanocyte survival and restoring melanin synthesis. The microneedles exhibited robust mechanical strength (0.234 ± 0.014 N/needle) with a penetration depth of approximately 300-350 μm. In vitro, the cumulative release of bFGF and TYR reached 65% and 70% within the first 72 h, respectively, and subsequently increased more gradually to 92.1% and 90.7% by day 21. In vitro, the combined administration of MPDA, bFGF, and TYR, mitigated H2O2-induced oxidative injury and enhanced keratinocyte viability. In a monobenzone-induced mouse model, Gel@bFGF/TYR//HA@MPDA treatment markedly promoted repigmentation, restored epidermal melanin deposition, and reduced the expression of CD8, IFN-γ, and TNF-α. Transcriptomic analysis further revealed suppression of ferroptosis-related genes and reactivation of the Wnt–Frizzled–MITF melanogenic signaling axis. This spatially designed microneedle system provides coordinated antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and pro-melanogenic effects, offering a promising localized therapeutic strategy for vitiligo.
SN - 2590-0064
ER -