UV-cured PVA-collagen co-network with staining-free photodynamic activity against chronic wound bacteria
Abstract
Chronic wounds affect 1-2% of the global population and represent an unsustainable healthcare, financial and economic burden. Delayed healing is largely associated with bacterial infection and inadequate moisture balance, both of which remain difficult to control due to increasing antimicrobial resistance and the limited exudate management capacity and mechanical performance of current dressings. To address these challenges, we introduce a staining-free photodynamic material with work-light-triggered antibacterial activity, significant water-induced swelling (up to more than nine-fold increase in dry weight) and tunable wet state mean compression modulus (Ec: 76 - 289 kPa). The material was prepared by UV co-curing of an aqueous solution containing a poly(vinyl alcohol) derivative functionalised with both phenothiazine and methacrylate residues, 4-vinylbenzyl-functionalised type 1 rat tail collagen, and a water-soluble photoinitiator. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry of the co-networks indicated the presence of characteristic chemical and thermal features of both components. 96-hour co-network incubation in vitro (pH 7.4, 37 degC) confirmed the significant retention of toluidine blue (> 93 wt.%), suppressed medium colouration, and an average mass retention higher than 98 wt.%. Exposure of the UV-cured samples to 10-min work light resulted in at least 1 log10 reduction in Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa viabilities, in contrast to dark-control conditions, while the metabolic activity of L929 fibroblasts remained above 90%. The antibacterial properties, staining-free photodynamic behaviour, water-induced swelling, and wet-state mechanical properties achieved via network integration with functionalised collagen, make this material appealing for chronic wound healing applications and for on-demand delivery of localised therapies.
Versions
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BibTeX
@misc{mexia2026uvcured,
title = {{UV-cured PVA-collagen co-network with staining-free photodynamic activity against chronic wound bacteria}},
author = {Nikitia Mexia and Charles Brooker and Giuseppe Tronci},
howpublished = {arXiv},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.48550/arxiv.2610.14732},
eprint = {2610.14732},
archivePrefix = {arXiv},
url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.14732},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - UV-cured PVA-collagen co-network with staining-free photodynamic activity against chronic wound bacteria
AU - Nikitia Mexia
AU - Charles Brooker
AU - Giuseppe Tronci
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/18
PB - arXiv
DO - 10.48550/arxiv.2610.14732
UR - https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.14732
AB - Chronic wounds affect 1-2% of the global population and represent an unsustainable healthcare, financial and economic burden. Delayed healing is largely associated with bacterial infection and inadequate moisture balance, both of which remain difficult to control due to increasing antimicrobial resistance and the limited exudate management capacity and mechanical performance of current dressings. To address these challenges, we introduce a staining-free photodynamic material with work-light-triggered antibacterial activity, significant water-induced swelling (up to more than nine-fold increase in dry weight) and tunable wet state mean compression modulus (Ec: 76 - 289 kPa). The material was prepared by UV co-curing of an aqueous solution containing a poly(vinyl alcohol) derivative functionalised with both phenothiazine and methacrylate residues, 4-vinylbenzyl-functionalised type 1 rat tail collagen, and a water-soluble photoinitiator. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry of the co-networks indicated the presence of characteristic chemical and thermal features of both components. 96-hour co-network incubation in vitro (pH 7.4, 37 degC) confirmed the significant retention of toluidine blue (> 93 wt.%), suppressed medium colouration, and an average mass retention higher than 98 wt.%. Exposure of the UV-cured samples to 10-min work light resulted in at least 1 log10 reduction in Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa viabilities, in contrast to dark-control conditions, while the metabolic activity of L929 fibroblasts remained above 90%. The antibacterial properties, staining-free photodynamic behaviour, water-induced swelling, and wet-state mechanical properties achieved via network integration with functionalised collagen, make this material appealing for chronic wound healing applications and for on-demand delivery of localised therapies.
ER -