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Xing Z, Yang W, Zhao C, Wang Y, Jiang X, Qian S, Chu Y, Xia J, Wang C, Wang J. Borate-modified recombinant type XVII collagen microneedles loaded with IGF-1 for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Int J Biol Macromol 2025; 314:144460. [PMID: 40398062 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.144460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2025] [Revised: 05/16/2025] [Accepted: 05/19/2025] [Indexed: 05/23/2025]
Abstract
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the preeminent form of clinical hair loss, poses a significant challenge to patients. Growth factors (GFs) have been investigated for the treatment of hair loss. However, the issue of their optimal intra-dermal delivery remains a formidable obstacle. Type XVII collagen (COL17), which plays a crucial role in regulating the hair follicle aging process, has emerged as a highly promising candidate for hair loss treatment. Considering these constraints, we developed an IGF-1 loaded borate-modified rhCOL17 MN platform (I-mCOL17 MNs) for the treatment of AGA. The mCOL17 MNs are engineered to precisely control the release of bioactive payloads in response to dynamic changes in the microenvironment. A comprehensive investigation was conducted to verify the physicochemical characteristics, as well as the in vitro and in vivo biological activities of the MNs. Our findings demonstrate that, when contrasted with the clinically utilized drug minoxidil, our MN exhibits a remarkable capacity to enhance neovascularization, alleviate tissue-based inflammatory responses, and promote hair regeneration in murine models of AGA. Overall, this MN represents a novel, safer, and more efficient strategy for the treatment of AGA, offering new hope for patients suffering from this prevalent condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Xing
- School of Pharmacy & School of Medical and Health Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, PR China; Department of Pharmacy, The Second People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Affliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213004, PR China
| | - Wenhao Yang
- School of Pharmacy & School of Medical and Health Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, PR China
| | - Chen Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Affliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213004, PR China
| | - Yuhui Wang
- School of Pharmacy & School of Medical and Health Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, PR China
| | - Xiaolian Jiang
- School of Pharmacy & School of Medical and Health Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, PR China
| | - Song Qian
- Jiangsu Trautec Medical Technology Co., Ltd, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213200, PR China
| | - Yun Chu
- Jiangsu Trautec Medical Technology Co., Ltd, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213200, PR China
| | - Jiang Xia
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Cheng Wang
- School of Pharmacy & School of Medical and Health Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, PR China.
| | - Jianhao Wang
- School of Pharmacy & School of Medical and Health Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, PR China.
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Rabiee N. Revolutionizing biosensing with wearable microneedle patches: innovations and applications. J Mater Chem B 2025; 13:5264-5289. [PMID: 40264330 DOI: 10.1039/d5tb00251f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/24/2025]
Abstract
Wearable microneedle (MN) patches have emerged as a transformative platform for biosensing, offering a minimally invasive and user-friendly approach to real-time health monitoring and disease diagnosis. Primarily designed to access interstitial fluid (ISF) through shallow skin penetration, MNs enable precise and continuous sampling of biomarkers such as glucose, lactate, and electrolytes. Additionally, recent innovations have integrated MN arrays with microfluidic and porous structures to support sweat-based analysis, where MNs act as structural or functional components in hybrid wearable systems. This review explores the design, fabrication, and functional integration of MNs into wearable devices, highlighting advances in multi-analyte detection, wireless data transmission, and self-powered sensing. Challenges related to material biocompatibility, sensor stability, scalability, and user variability are addressed, alongside emerging opportunities in microfluidics, artificial intelligence, and soft materials. Overall, MN-based biosensing platforms are poised to redefine personalized healthcare by enabling dynamic, decentralized, and accessible health monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navid Rabiee
- Department of Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
- Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Department of Biomaterials, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, SIMATS, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India
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Pan H, Hu W, Zhou C, Jian J, Xu J, Lu C, Quan G, Wu C, Pan X, Peng T. Microneedle-Mediated Treatment of Obesity. Pharmaceutics 2025; 17:248. [PMID: 40006614 PMCID: PMC11859603 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics17020248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2025] [Revised: 01/25/2025] [Accepted: 02/11/2025] [Indexed: 02/27/2025] Open
Abstract
Obesity has become a major public health threat, as it can cause various complications such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, cancer, and osteoarthritis. The primary anti-obesity therapies include dietary control, physical exercise, surgical interventions, and drug therapy; however, these treatments often have poor therapeutic efficacy, significant side effects, and unavoidable weight rebound. As a revolutionized transdermal drug delivery system, microneedles (MNs) have been increasingly used to deliver anti-obesity therapeutics to subcutaneous adipose tissue or targeted absorption sites, significantly enhancing anti-obese effects. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of a review to comprehensively summarize the latest progress of MN-mediated treatment of obesity. This review provides an overview of the application of MN technology in obesity, focusing on the delivery of various therapeutics to promote the browning of white adipose tissue (WAT), suppress adipogenesis, and improve metabolic function. In addition, this review presents detailed examples of the integration of MN technology with iontophoresis (INT) or photothermal therapy (PTT) to promote drug penetration into deeper dermis and exert synergistic anti-obese effects. Furthermore, the challenges and prospects of MN technology used for obesity treatment are also discussed, which helps to guide the design and optimization of MNs. Overall, this review provides insight into the development and clinical translation of MN technology for the treatment of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Natural Bioactive Molecules and Discovery of Innovative Drugs, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511436, China; (H.P.); (W.H.); (C.Z.); (J.J.); (J.X.); (C.L.); (G.Q.); (C.W.)
| | - Wanshan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Natural Bioactive Molecules and Discovery of Innovative Drugs, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511436, China; (H.P.); (W.H.); (C.Z.); (J.J.); (J.X.); (C.L.); (G.Q.); (C.W.)
| | - Chunxian Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Natural Bioactive Molecules and Discovery of Innovative Drugs, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511436, China; (H.P.); (W.H.); (C.Z.); (J.J.); (J.X.); (C.L.); (G.Q.); (C.W.)
| | - Jubo Jian
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Natural Bioactive Molecules and Discovery of Innovative Drugs, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511436, China; (H.P.); (W.H.); (C.Z.); (J.J.); (J.X.); (C.L.); (G.Q.); (C.W.)
| | - Jing Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Natural Bioactive Molecules and Discovery of Innovative Drugs, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511436, China; (H.P.); (W.H.); (C.Z.); (J.J.); (J.X.); (C.L.); (G.Q.); (C.W.)
| | - Chao Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Natural Bioactive Molecules and Discovery of Innovative Drugs, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511436, China; (H.P.); (W.H.); (C.Z.); (J.J.); (J.X.); (C.L.); (G.Q.); (C.W.)
| | - Guilan Quan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Natural Bioactive Molecules and Discovery of Innovative Drugs, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511436, China; (H.P.); (W.H.); (C.Z.); (J.J.); (J.X.); (C.L.); (G.Q.); (C.W.)
| | - Chuanbin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Natural Bioactive Molecules and Discovery of Innovative Drugs, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511436, China; (H.P.); (W.H.); (C.Z.); (J.J.); (J.X.); (C.L.); (G.Q.); (C.W.)
- Jiangmen Wuyi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Jiangmen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Jinan University, Jiangmen 529031, China
| | - Xin Pan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Tingting Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Natural Bioactive Molecules and Discovery of Innovative Drugs, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511436, China; (H.P.); (W.H.); (C.Z.); (J.J.); (J.X.); (C.L.); (G.Q.); (C.W.)
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Razzaghi M, Alexander Ninan J, Akbari M. Advancements in Materials for 3D-Printed Microneedle Arrays: Enhancing Performance and Biocompatibility. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:1433. [PMID: 39770187 PMCID: PMC11678433 DOI: 10.3390/mi15121433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2024] [Revised: 11/20/2024] [Accepted: 11/27/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2025]
Abstract
The rapid advancement of 3D printing technology has revolutionized the fabrication of microneedle arrays (MNAs), which hold great promise in biomedical applications such as drug delivery, diagnostics, and therapeutic interventions. This review uniquely explores advanced materials used in the production of 3D-printed MNAs, including photopolymer resins, biocompatible materials, and composite resins, designed to improve mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and functional performance. Additionally, it introduces emerging trends such as 4D printing for programmable MNAs. By analyzing recent innovations, this review identifies critical challenges and proposes future directions to advance the field of 3D-printed MNAs. Unlike previous reviews, this paper emphasizes the integration of innovative materials with advanced 3D printing techniques to enhance both the performance and sustainability of MNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmood Razzaghi
- Laboratory for Innovations in Microengineering (LiME), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada;
| | - Joel Alexander Ninan
- Laboratory for Innovations in Microengineering (LiME), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada;
| | - Mohsen Akbari
- Laboratory for Innovations in Microengineering (LiME), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada;
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovations, Los Angeles, CA 90050, USA
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Kim G, Ahn H, Chaj Ulloa J, Gao W. Microneedle sensors for dermal interstitial fluid analysis. MED-X 2024; 2:15. [PMID: 39363915 PMCID: PMC11445365 DOI: 10.1007/s44258-024-00028-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2024] [Revised: 08/22/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
The rapid advancement in personalized healthcare has driven the development of wearable biomedical devices for real-time biomarker monitoring and diagnosis. Traditional invasive blood-based diagnostics are painful and limited to sporadic health snapshots. To address these limitations, microneedle-based sensing platforms have emerged, utilizing interstitial fluid (ISF) as an alternative biofluid for continuous health monitoring in a minimally invasive and painless manner. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of microneedle sensor technology, covering microneedle design, fabrication methods, and sensing strategy. Additionally, it explores the integration of monitoring electronics for continuous on-body monitoring. Representative applications of microneedle sensing platforms for both monitoring and therapeutic purposes are introduced, highlighting their potential to revolutionize personalized healthcare. Finally, the review discusses the remaining challenges and future prospects of microneedle technology. Graphical Abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwangmook Kim
- Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA USA
| | - Hyunah Ahn
- Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA USA
| | - Joshua Chaj Ulloa
- Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA USA
| | - Wei Gao
- Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA USA
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Izutsu KI, Yoshida H, Abe Y, Yamamoto E, Sato Y, Ando D. Application of the Thermal Analysis of Frozen Aqueous Solutions to Assess the Miscibility of Hyaluronic Acid and Polymers Used for Dissolving Microneedles. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:1280. [PMID: 39458610 PMCID: PMC11510125 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16101280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2024] [Revised: 09/26/2024] [Accepted: 09/27/2024] [Indexed: 10/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: The combination of multiple polymers is anticipated to serve as a means to diversify the physical properties and functionalities of dissolving microneedles. The mixing state of components is considered as a crucial factor in determining their suitability. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to elucidate whether thermal analysis of frozen aqueous solutions can appropriately predict the miscibility of hyaluronic acid (HA) and other polymers used for dissolving microneedles prepared by a micromolding method. Methods: Aliquots of aqueous polymer solutions were applied for thermal analysis by heating the samples from -70 °C at 5 °C/min to obtain the transition temperature of amorphous polymers and/or the crystallization/melting peaks of polymers (e.g., polyethylene glycol (PEG)). Films and dissolving microneedles were prepared by air-drying of the aqueous polymer solutions to assess the polymer miscibility in the solids. Results: The frozen aqueous single-solute HA solutions exhibited a clear Tg' (the glass transition temperature of maximally freeze-concentrated solutes) at approximately -20 °C. The combination of HA with several polymers (e.g., dextran FP40, DEAE-dextran, dextran sulfate, and gelatin) showed a single Tg' transition at temperatures that shifted according to their mass ratio, which strongly suggested the mixing of the freeze-concentrated solutes. By contrast, the observation of two Tg' transitions in a scan strongly suggested the separation of HA and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) or HA and polyacrylic acid (PAA) into different freeze-concentrated phases, each of which was rich in an amorphous polymer. The combination of HA and PEG exhibited the individual physical changes of the polymers. The polymer combinations that showed phase separation in the frozen solution formed opaque films and microneedles upon their preparation by air-drying. Coacervation occurring in certain polymer combinations was also suggested as a factor contributing to the formation of cloudy films. Conclusions: Freezing aqueous polymer solutions creates a highly concentrated polymer environment that mimics the matrix of dissolving microneedles prepared through air drying. This study demonstrated that thermal analysis of the frozen solution offers insights into the mixing state of condensed polymers, which can be useful for predicting the physical properties of microneedles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken-ichi Izutsu
- School of Pharmacy at Narita, International University of Health and Welfare, Kozunomori 4-3, Narita 286-8686, Japan
- Division of Drugs, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tonomachi 3-25-26, Kawasaki 210-9501, Japan; (H.Y.); (Y.A.); (Y.S.); (D.A.)
| | - Hiroyuki Yoshida
- Division of Drugs, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tonomachi 3-25-26, Kawasaki 210-9501, Japan; (H.Y.); (Y.A.); (Y.S.); (D.A.)
| | - Yasuhiro Abe
- Division of Drugs, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tonomachi 3-25-26, Kawasaki 210-9501, Japan; (H.Y.); (Y.A.); (Y.S.); (D.A.)
| | - Eiichi Yamamoto
- Division of Medical Devices, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tonomachi 3-25-26, Kawasaki 210-9501, Japan;
| | - Yoji Sato
- Division of Drugs, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tonomachi 3-25-26, Kawasaki 210-9501, Japan; (H.Y.); (Y.A.); (Y.S.); (D.A.)
| | - Daisuke Ando
- Division of Drugs, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tonomachi 3-25-26, Kawasaki 210-9501, Japan; (H.Y.); (Y.A.); (Y.S.); (D.A.)
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