A photosynthetic egg based oxygen-releasing platform to promote angiogenesis and tissue regeneration in diabetic wounds

Abstract Diabetic wounds represent a longstanding global health challenge attributable to tissue hypoxia resulting from impaired microcirculation, which impedes crucial physiological processes essential for wound healing, such as cell proliferation and migration. Oxygen-releasing biomaterials present a novel avenue for tissue reoxygenation therapy, offering advantages over conventional hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Herein, we developed a microcosmic oxygen-releasing platform (MORP) named photosynthetic egg by utilizing egg white hydrogel with inherent bioactive factors for regenerative strength and electrostatic adsorbed Chlorella bringing photosynthetic oxygen production. The dissolved oxygen concentration leaped to more than 10 mg l⁻¹ under hypoxic conditions through manipulating supplemental dosage and illumination intensity demonstrating high flexibility and controllability of MORP. In vitro experiments, coupled with transcriptome sequencing and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, demonstrated that MORP significantly augmented cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, serving as a rejuvenating agent to alleviate DNA damage and cellular dysfunction in hypoxic environments. Further in vivo investigations substantiated that MORP expedited diabetic wound healing by fostering tissue regeneration, collagen deposition, and angiogenesis owing to its bioactive constituents and reoxygenation capabilities. These findings underscore the potential therapeutic efficacy of MORP as an innovative approach for managing diabetic wounds.