Engineering MMP9-Responsive Antioxidative Micelle-Hydrogel Dressings for Sequential Inflammatory Remodeling and Pro-Angiogenesis in Diabetic Wound Healing

This study addresses the challenges of chronic diabetic wounds by developing a hydrogel dressing, RD@PVA, that targets oxidative stress and insufficient angiogenesis. The hydrogel continuously scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS) and releases the pro-angiogenic drug deferasirox in response to matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) activity. The dressing, composed of RA-MG-PEG and deferasirox-loaded micelles, demonstrated in vivo efficacy by reducing ROS levels, decreasing M1 macrophages, increasing blood vessel density, accelerating wound healing, enhancing collagen content, and promoting hair follicle regeneration. These results suggest that RD@PVA effectively facilitates wound healing in diabetic patients.