Engagement of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) on tumor cells with its receptor PD-1 on immune cells can transmit an inhibitory signal to induce immune evasion. Although the immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-L1 antibody has shown antitumor capability in clinical treatment, its wide clinical application still faces several side effects and individual selectivity. In our research, we utilized the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats interference (CRISPRi) system to suppress PD-L1 expression on breast cancer cells (4T1) and combined it with epigenetic inhibitor azacytidine (AZA) for enhanced cancer immunotherapy. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive poly(β-amino ester) (PBAE)-S-AZA cationic polymeric prodrug was fabricated, which could complex with CRISPRi plasmids to form the composite polyplexes via electrostatic interaction. The composite polyplexes could be taken up by tumor cells with high efficiency, followed by plasmid release with the cooperation of PBAE. The CRISPRi plasmids could lead to PD-L1 downregulation in tumor cells, leading to obvious relief of immune checkpoint blockade. In the meantime, the epigenetic inhibitor AZA was also released from the polyplexes due to the high intracellular ROS level, thereby enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy via elevating MHC class I expression, enhancing antigen presentation, and inducing dendritic cell (DC) maturation. The ROS-responsive polyplexes helped to realize the combination of genome editing, immunotherapy, and epigenetic regulation. It will provide an effective platform for promoting antitumor treatment and precision medicine.

The escalating severity of microplastic pollution and oily wastewater discharge has intensified the demand for recyclable, multifunctional, and environmentally benign materials. In this study, we present a composite polyurethane (PU) sponge constructed through the synergistic integration of cuttlefish-ink nanoparticles (CINPs), Ti₃C₂T_X MXene, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The synergistic CINP@MXene framework imparts high photothermal conversion efficiency and structural stability, while the PDMS coating confers superhydrophobicity. The resulting sponge demonstrates efficient oil absorption and oil–water separation capabilities, alongside a stable photothermal response, achieving a temperature of 84.1 °C within 10 s under 1.5 Sun irradiation. Notably, the sponge absorbed approximately 0.05 g of crude oil within 10 s, the saturated absorption capacity of crude oil under 1.5 solar days was 24.52 g/g, and the adsorption rate of 5 g crude oil within 4 min was 91.4%. Furthermore, it exhibits remarkable adsorption performance toward common microplastics and nanoplastics. Overall, the CINPs@MXene/PU/PDMS sponge represents a versatile and scalable platform with significant potential for addressing challenges in oily wastewater treatment, solar-assisted oil recovery, and microplastic remediation, thereby contributing to sustainable environmental protection efforts.

Background: Conventional and refractory wounds frequently remain in a prolonged inflammatory phase associated with excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and disruption of endogenous electrical cues. Methods: A multifunctional nanocomposite hydrogel was fabricated via an amidation condensation reaction, utilizing 3-amino-4-methoxybenzoic acid (AMB)-modified carboxymethyl chitosan (PAMB-CMCS) and decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) as macromolecular networks, integrated with Astragaloside IV-Loaded Polydopamine/Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (AS@PDA/ZIF-8) nanoparticles. Results: The hydrogel provided a biomechanically supportive scaffold with compressive strength of 27.24 ± 1.9 kPa and breaking strength of 28.2 ± 2.8 kPa and exhibited electrical conductivity of 29.84 mS/cm, ROS-scavenging activity, and near-infrared (NIR)-responsive photothermal behavior reaching 62.55 °C. The integrated PDA@ZIF-8 nanoplatform further contributed to antibacterial performance and localized AS release, thereby improving the wound microenvironment and accelerating full-thickness cutaneous defect repair. Conclusions: This macromolecule-based composite hydrogel offers a promising therapeutic strategy for complex wound management.

Background: Photothermal therapy (PTT), a highly efficient and controllable method with minimal drug resistance, transforms near-infrared (NIR) radiation into heat. This process exerts antibacterial effects, aids in tissue repair, and promotes healing. Methods: Our study presented a novel kind of composite wound dressing that incorporated an adhesive conductive hydrogel (PTP) combined with a piezoelectric film (P/M) for NIR- responsive applications. The inherent adhesiveness of the hydrogel ensured robust anchoring of the piezoelectric film to both hydrogel matrix and wound site. Its conductivity enabled synergistic endogenous electrical stimulation with the piezoelectric film, while also serving as therapeutic layer to augment hemostasis, analgesia, and antibacterial activity. Results: The hydrogel’s capacity for moisture retention and exudate absorption sustained optimal wound environment, thereby supporting debridement and recovery. Furthermore, the P/M film possessed excellent photothermal properties and transferred heat to the hydrogel through heat conduction to enhance antibacterial activity and promote wound healing. The in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that the composite dressing exhibited strong promotion effect on wound healing under NIR irradiation. Conclusions: In summary, our research provided a new strategy for developing advanced piezoelectric biomaterials with great clinical potential for wound healing.

The development of innovative wound dressings capable of accelerating diabetic wound healing while simultaneously reducing scar formation is a significant clinical challenge. In this study, we designed and fabricated a multifunctional nanofibrous scaffold PCL/Az-CS/dECM/NAC by incorporating decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) into a composite backbone of polycaprolactone (PCL) and azidobenzoic acid-modified chitosan (AZCS). The scaffold exhibited ideal hydrophilicity and swelling capacity, and demonstrated excellent biocompatibility. In vitro studies demonstrated that the scaffold effectively scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS) and promoted the polarization of macrophages from the M1 phenotype to the M2 phenotype; in vivo studies confirmed that the PCL/AZ-CS/dECM/NAC scaffold significantly accelerated wound closure, promoted mature angiogenesis, and facilitated orderly collagen deposition. The PCL/AZ-CS/dECM/NAC scaffold mitigated scar formation by increasing the proportion of regenerative type III collagen, optimizing the collagen I/III ratio. Our findings suggest that the PCL/AZ-CS/dECM/NAC scaffold is a highly promising candidate for a multifunctional dressing designed to treat recalcitrant diabetic wounds and prevent excessive scarring.