journal article·2026-07-11Open access

Unraveling Bone‐Skin Crosstalk Enables miRNA Nanoformulation for Cutaneous Neurovascular Reconstruction in Diabetic Mice

Tao Shen, Hongdou Shen, Weiyue Wu, Zhuoying Jiang, Bin Liu, Yansi Xian, Rui Peng, An Yan, Yu Ben, Yong Shi, Xiang Chen, Baosheng Guo, Qing Jiang, Weijun Wang, Pingqiang Cai

Abstract

ABSTRACT The clinical intractability of diabetic foot ulcers stems from a profound uncoupling of cutaneous neurovascular networks, rendering standard metabolic and topical interventions largely palliative. Paradoxically, remote orthopedic trauma robustly accelerates distal skin repair, yet the systemic molecular mediators driving this “bone‐skin crosstalk” remain undefined, precluding its translation into non‐invasive therapies. Here, we establish that macroscopic bone fracture expedites diabetic wound healing through the systemic release of exosomal miR‐130b‐3p, a potent orchestrator of coupled angiogenesis and neurogenesis. To recapitulate this physiological axis non‐invasively, we engineered a self‐assembling, cholesterol‐modified agomir‐130b‐3p nanocomplex that could bypass endolysosomal degradation. For sustained spatial delivery, these carrier‐free nanoassemblies were incorporated into an in situ photocrosslinkable methacrylated collagen/silk fibroin hydrogel, creating a bio‐instructive extracellular matrix that prolongs microRNA bioavailability. In streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice, hydrogel‐mediated agomir delivery achieved 97.2% full‐thickness wound closure. Advanced volumetric light‐sheet imaging of chemically cleared whole‐mount skin confirmed the robust spatiotemporal reconstruction of deep vascular and neural networks. These findings decode a distinct exosome‐mediated inter‐organ repair mechanism and demonstrate that biomimetic microRNA nanoformulations can effectively translate systemic physiological cues into localized, high‐efficacy therapeutics for ischemic neuropathic wounds.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Wound Healing and Treatments · Extracellular vesicles in disease · Planarian Biology and Electrostimulation

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

Affiliations

Division of Sports Medicine and Adult Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School Nanjing University Nanjing Jiangsu P. R. China

Branch of National Clinical Research Center For Orthopedics Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation P. R. China

Co‐innovation Center of Neuroregeneration Nantong University Nantong P. R. China

Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center Nanjing University Nanjing P. R. China

Funding

National Key Research and Development Program of China · National Natural Science Foundation of China · China Postdoctoral Science Foundation · Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province

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