Hybrid membrane-coated motors for atopic dermatitis therapy via pruritus relief and ILC2 suppression

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disorder characterized by intense pruritus, xerosis, and erythema. Its pathogenesis involves hyperactivation of type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) and excessive accumulation of interleukin-31(IL-31). Moreover, over-colonization of Staphylococcus aureus exacerbates inflammation and skin barrier damage. Targeting pruritus and restoring immune and microbiota homeostasis are crucial for AD management. Herein, we developed a near-infrared-responsive anti-pruritic motor for AD treatment. The motor is encapsulated in a hybrid membrane armor composed of Cutibacterium acnes cell wall and keratinocytes membrane, enabling targeted ILC2 downregulation for immunomodulation and effective clearance of free IL-31 for pruritus relief. Inside the armor, a janus bowl-shaped polydopamine (Bowl–PDA) exhibits NIR-responsive motion under NIR irradiation, significantly enlarging the clearance area of the membrane armor. Concurrently, Zn 2+ released from the system effectively inhibits Staphylococcus aureus colonization. This integrated motor significantly reduced erythema and scratching-related indices, restored skin barrier and microbiota function, normalized ILC homeostasis by downregulating IL-33-ILC2 axis and suppressed IL-31–TRPV1 pruritic signaling. Collectively, this strategy demonstrates robust anti-pruritic efficacy, coordinated remodeling of immune and microbiota homeostasis, offering a promising platform for precision AD therapy. Schematic diagram: S. aureus over-colonization, ILC2 hyperactivation, and excessive IL-31–IL-31Ra–TRPV1 signaling drive skin inflammation and pruritus in atopic dermatitis. Under NIR irradiation, NIR-responsive motion of janus Bowl–PDA@Zn motors significantly enlarging the clearance area, enabled outer layer hybrid C. acnes cell wall–keratinocyte membrane extensively suppress ILC2 activation, eliminate IL-31, and release antibacterial Zn 2+ among AD lesion, thereby restoring cutaneous immune and microbial homeostasis, achieve antiprurtic therapeutic effect. Download: Download high-res image (157KB) Download: Download full-size image