Multifunctional bioactive peptide-laden and adhesion-switchable dual-crosslinked hydrogel for accelerated healing of infected deep burn wounds.

“Multifunctional bioactive peptide-laden and adhesion-switchable dual-crosslinked hydrogel for accelerated healing of infected deep burn wounds. Du K(1), Qi L(2), Ren H(1), Yang C(1), Suo H(3), Hou D(4), Yang ZR(5), Jiang H(6), Zhu J(1). Author information: (1)Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China. (2)Sinopec (Beijing) Research Institute of Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Beijing 100013, China. (3)Department of Dermatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, HUST, Wuhan 430022, China. (4)Sinopec (Beijing) Research Institute of Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Beijing 100013, China. Electronic address: houdd.bjhy@sinopec.com. (5)Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China. Electronic address: zryangbda@foxmail.com. (6)Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China. Electronic address: hustjh@hust.edu.cn. Infected deep burn wounds represent a severe clinical challenge due to microbial invasion, persistent inflammation, impaired tissue regeneration, and subsequent scar formation. To address these issues, we developed stimuli-responsive and on-demand removable hydrogel dressing (AMP@GPQCD) with injectability, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pro-angiogensis capacities for comprehensive management of deep burn wounds. The AMP@GPQCD hydrogel was composed of phenylboronic acid-modified gelatin methacrylate (GelMA-PBA), catechol-decorated chitosan (CS-DA), vinyl-terminated VEGF-mimetic peptide (QKMA), and an ultrashort antimicrobial lipopeptide (AMP, C12-RFKFRF-NH2). The dual crosslinking GPQCD hydrogel was fabricated through the dynamic phenylborate bonds between GelMA-PBA and CS-DA, and UV-initiated polymerization of GelMA and QKMA. The acidic and oxidative microenvironment at the infected burn wounds triggered the dissociation of phenylborate bonds, leading to the rapid release of the encapsulated AMP. Notably, the on-demand and painless removal of the hydrogel dressing could be achieved by applying glucose solution through competition with the catechol groups on CS-DA for binding to phenylboronic acid. In vivo studies demonstrated advanced burn wound healing via hemostasis, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammation, angiogenesis, and tissue regeneration, promoting the formation of a healthier basket-weave collagen network, thereby reducing the tendency towards fibrosis. This study provides a transformative therapeutic solution for infected deep burn wounds. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: A dual-crosslinked smart hydrogel (AMP@GPQCD) with multi-stimuli responsiveness was constructed. The dynamic borate network of AMP@GPQCD hydrogels in response to acidic pH and high ROS level could rapidly release ultrashort antimicrobial lipopeptides and scavenge excess ROS, followed by effective macrophages polarization into M2 phenotype for comprehensive anti-infection and inflammation regulation. AMP@GPQCD hydrogels can continuously promote fibroblast proliferation/migration and angiogenesis through covalently grafted VEGF mimetic peptides, capable of enhancing collagen remodeling for reducing fibrosis tendency. In addition, the glucose-responsive AMP@GPQCD hydrogel can be painlessly removed on demand, avoiding secondary damage to the wound. Copyright © 2026 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Conflict of interest statement: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.”