Micro- and nano-environment dual-modulated anti-tendon adhesion barrier membranes

Despite promise in preventing peritendinous adhesion, electrospun membranes face many challenges related to their complex fabrication process, untargeted/uncontrolled drug delivery and consequently low therapeutical effect. Here, a micro-and nano-environment dual-modulated barrier membrane (MNBM) with on-demand gene capability is presented. Our MNBM developed by first preparing extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2 (ERK2) siRNA-loaded gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) nanogels via facile nano-emulsification technique, then incorporating these into poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) fibers simple blending electrospinning. The GelMA offer nano-niche for ERK2-siRNA encapsulation allow controlled siRNA release readily tuning the concentrations during nano-emulsification, while resultant can mediate micro-environment response matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) enriched at tendon repair site. Such not only biologically orchestrate fibroblast behaviors silencing target expression, but also physically shield from extrinsic cell/tissue invasion. This study provides proof-of-concept of anti-adhesion as an intelligent system spatiotemporal biophysical dual control over recovery according disease state ensure long-term therapeutic efficacy. We envision such represents promising platform great efficacy achieve adhesion-free repair.