Mechanism of engineered macrophage membrane bionic gene-carrying nanospheres for targeted drug delivery to promote wound repair in deep second-degree burns

Sci Rep. 2025 Jan 22;15(1):2756. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-86716-2.

Abstract

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a substance that stimulates the proliferation of hepatocytes which promote healing. We developed a macrophage membrane-encapsulated nanosphere drug delivery system containing HGF for the study of burn wound healing. Twenty-seven Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: a saline control (NS) group, an engineered macrophage membrane-encapsulated nanospheres (ETMM@NPS) group, and an engineered macrophage membrane-encapsulated nanospheres treatment with HGF-loaded gene (HGF@ETMM@NPS) group.The wound tissue sections were examined histologically using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson trichrome staining. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were performed to determine the expression of relevant proteins. The wound-healing, blood flow and complete epithelialization rates were significantly better in the HGF@ETMM@NPS group compared to the NS and ETMM@NPS groups. Expression of B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X-protein was significantly lower, and B-cell lymphoma 2, cluster of differentiation 31, HGF, alpha smooth muscle actin, and PCNA expression was significantly higher in the HGF@ETMM@NPS group compared with the other two groups. PCNA and HGF expression was significantly up-regulated in the HGF@ETMM@NPS group. The HGF@ETMM@NPS complex drug delivery system used in this research promoted wound healing via effective delivery of HGF to burn wounds, thereby accelerating skin cell growth and migration.

Keywords: Deep second-degree burns; Engineered macrophage membranes; PLGA nanospheres; Targeted drug delivery system; Trabecular repair.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Burns* / drug therapy
  • Burns* / genetics
  • Burns* / metabolism
  • Burns* / pathology
  • Burns* / therapy
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor* / genetics
  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor* / metabolism
  • Macrophages* / drug effects
  • Macrophages* / metabolism
  • Male
  • Nanospheres* / chemistry
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley*
  • Wound Healing* / drug effects

Substances

  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor