Ultrasonic triggered piezoelectric catalytic microneedles loaded with phages: a new strategy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infected wound healing

Insolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage with efficient antibacterial effects, which can target and kill P. aeruginosa in wounds. • Optimized the extraction method of wool keratin to enhanced its piezoelectric effect. • The piezoelectric keratin scaffold produces ROS upon ultrasonic stimulation, conferring broad-spectrum antibacterial activity • Integrated keratin scaffolds and phages into a thermosensitive microneedle array enables multifunctional and controllable drug delivery to infected wounds. The slow healing of chronic wounds affects healthcare systems and increases the risk of wound infection, particularly in cases involving drug-resistant bacteria. A patch capable of preventing wound infection and promoting tissue remodeling holds significant value for wound healing. Here, we propose a novel strategy integrating piezoelectric keratin scaffolds and Pseudomonas aeruginosa -targeting phages into thermosensitive pyramidal microneedle arrays to achieve multifunctional and controllable drug delivery, thereby accelerating the healing of infected wounds. A protein scaffold with piezoelectric properties was constructed based on highly α-helical keratin, and its secondary structure and physicochemical properties were systematically characterized. Under ultrasonic drive, this scaffold generates reactive oxygen species via electrical stimulation, achieving broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Simultaneously, Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage was incorporated into a temperature-responsive PNIPAm/PAAm blend, enabling controlled release at specific temperatures for targeted antimicrobial effects. The combination of piezoelectric materials and phages exhibits enhanced combinatorial effect, integrating the advantages of physical antimicrobial action with biologically targeted therapy. This strategy offers a novel approach to addressing antibiotic resistance and bacterial resistance to phages, demonstrating potential applications in both antimicrobial materials and phage therapy. Scheme 1. (A) Preparation of wool keratin scaffold. (B) Preparation of microneedles. (C) Schematic of microneedle therapy for P. aeruginosa infection, combining ultrasound-activated keratin ROS production and phage-targeted bacterial elimination. Download: Download high-res image (83KB) Download: Download full-size image