Microneedle-integrated dynamic hydrogel for intrinsic bioactivity-driven microenvironment regulation in wound healing

Impaired skin wound healing is often associated with excessive inflammation, elevated oxidative stress, and insufficient vascular regeneration. Herein, we designed a microneedle-integrated hydrogel system based on phenylboronic acid-functionalized gelatin methacrylate (GelMA-PBA), incorporating polydopamine-modified bioactive glass nanoparticles (BGN@PDA) for the treatment of full-thickness skin wounds. The dynamic boronic ester-based network enables stable nanoparticle incorporation and supports effective local delivery, allowing regulation of the wound microenvironment without relying on exogenous therapeutic agents. In vitro , the system showed good biocompatibility, reduced intracellular ROS levels and inflammatory responses, and enhanced cell migration and angiogenesis-related activities. In vivo , it promoted wound closure and tissue regeneration, as evidenced by improved re-epithelialization, collagen remodeling, and vascularization in a full-thickness skin defect model. These results suggest that integrating a dynamic hydrogel network with intrinsically bioactive nanoparticles provides an effective materials-based approach for regulating the wound microenvironment and promoting skin regeneration.