Light-activated viologen-based metal-covalent organic framework sprayable hydrogel for accelerated healing of infected skin wounds.
4 affiliations
- 1Laboratory of Tumor and Immunity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China.
- 2School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
- 3The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
- 4Dongguan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Hepatology, the Affiliated Dongguan Songshan Lake Central Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Donggguan, China.
Abstract
Bacterial resistance and recurrent infection remain major challenges for infected wound healing. Antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) features excellent spatiotemporal control and low risk of inducing bacterial resistance, making it a promising antibacterial modality. However, many photosensitizers used in wound therapy are photounstable, bind weakly to bacteria, and generate insufficient reactive oxygen species (ROS). We developed a viologen-functionalized metal-covalent organic framework (Vio-MCOF) by covalently embedding viologen units into the MCOF framework, and integrated this material into a sprayable, ionically crosslinked sodium alginate hydrogel. In this system, viologen units serve as electron mediators and work cooperatively with the copper-cluster active sites to suppress charge recombination and may increase ROS production under simulated solar light. The positive charge of the viologen units promotes electrostatic binding of Vio-MCOF to negatively charged bacterial membranes, improving its photodynamic antibacterial performance. In vitro experiments showed that Vio-MCOF at 200 μg mL-1 achieved a bactericidal rate of over 99% against S. aureus after 30 min of simulated solar light irradiation. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the Vio-MCOF hydrogel reduced bacterial colonization in infected wounds, suppressed TNF-α and IL-6 expression, alleviated inflammation, and promoted angiogenesis and collagen deposition, leading to accelerated wound healing. Collectively, the sprayable Vio-MCOF hydrogel holds promise as an antibiotic-free dressing for infected skin wounds.
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BibTeX
@article{feng2026lightactivated,
title = {{Light-activated viologen-based metal-covalent organic framework sprayable hydrogel for accelerated healing of infected skin wounds.}},
author = {Li-Jun Feng and Jia-Ling Tong and Qin-Xie Xie and Mao-Nan Wen and Xiao-Zhao Ma and Yue Zang and Jia-Ru Zhong and Jia Yao and Xiao-Ming Li and Bo Zhao and Pei Tang},
journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fcimb.2026.1975470},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42952751},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Light-activated viologen-based metal-covalent organic framework sprayable hydrogel for accelerated healing of infected skin wounds.
AU - Li-Jun Feng
AU - Jia-Ling Tong
AU - Qin-Xie Xie
AU - Mao-Nan Wen
AU - Xiao-Zhao Ma
AU - Yue Zang
AU - Jia-Ru Zhong
AU - Jia Yao
AU - Xiao-Ming Li
AU - Bo Zhao
AU - Pei Tang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/14
JO - Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology
DO - 10.3389/fcimb.2026.1975470
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42952751
AB - Bacterial resistance and recurrent infection remain major challenges for infected wound healing. Antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) features excellent spatiotemporal control and low risk of inducing bacterial resistance, making it a promising antibacterial modality. However, many photosensitizers used in wound therapy are photounstable, bind weakly to bacteria, and generate insufficient reactive oxygen species (ROS). We developed a viologen-functionalized metal-covalent organic framework (Vio-MCOF) by covalently embedding viologen units into the MCOF framework, and integrated this material into a sprayable, ionically crosslinked sodium alginate hydrogel. In this system, viologen units serve as electron mediators and work cooperatively with the copper-cluster active sites to suppress charge recombination and may increase ROS production under simulated solar light. The positive charge of the viologen units promotes electrostatic binding of Vio-MCOF to negatively charged bacterial membranes, improving its photodynamic antibacterial performance. In vitro experiments showed that Vio-MCOF at 200 μg mL-1 achieved a bactericidal rate of over 99% against S. aureus after 30 min of simulated solar light irradiation. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the Vio-MCOF hydrogel reduced bacterial colonization in infected wounds, suppressed TNF-α and IL-6 expression, alleviated inflammation, and promoted angiogenesis and collagen deposition, leading to accelerated wound healing. Collectively, the sprayable Vio-MCOF hydrogel holds promise as an antibiotic-free dressing for infected skin wounds.
SN - 2235-2988
ER -