journal article·2026-06-27Open access

A Hydrogen Sulfide–Releasing Dynamic Hydrogel Modulates Coordinated Neurovascular, Immune, and Angiogenic Responses for Scar‐Suppressed Diabetic Wound Repair

Xuyang Ning, Ziqiang Zhou, Bangming Li, Hong Lu, Haoyang Wen, Zhoulong Huang, Gang Li, Ping Hu

Abstract

ABSTRACT Diabetic wound healing is impaired by a pathological microenvironment involving immune dysregulation, deficient angiogenesis, and compromised neural repair. Here, we engineered a dynamic phenylboronate ester–crosslinked hyaluronic acid/poly(vinyl alcohol) (HA/PVA) hydrogel for spatiotemporally controlled delivery of a novel hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) donor. In diabetic models, this hydrogel functions as both a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger and an immunomodulatory platform. Sustained H 2 S release promotes macrophage polarization toward the pro‐reparative M2 phenotype, enhances angiogenesis through activation of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway, and facilitates sensory nerve repair by restoring calcitonin gene–related peptide (CGRP) and nerve growth factor (NGF) levels. Transcriptomic analysis further reveals that H 2 S regulates gene networks associated with antioxidant defense, immune modulation, angiogenesis, and neuroprotection. In a diabetic rabbit ear model, this treatment markedly accelerates wound closure and suppresses hypertrophic scar formation by regulating collagen deposition and remodeling. Mechanistically, H 2 S inhibits fibrosis through suppression of the transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β)/Smad signaling pathway. Collectively, this work presents an integrated therapeutic strategy that coordinates immune, vascular, and neural repair processes, offering a promising approach for diabetic wound regeneration and scar mitigation.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Wound Healing and Treatments · Corneal Surgery and Treatments · Sulfur Compounds in Biology

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Burns & Plastic Surgery Faculty of Medical Science Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital Jinan University Guangzhou China

State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment Jinan University Guangzhou China

College of Pharmacy Jinan University Guangzhou China

First Clinical Medical College Guangdong Medical University Zhanjiang China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province

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