Coenzyme a-responsive hydrogel sensor for wireless monitoring and treatment of osteoarthritis

A coenzyme A (CoA-SH)-responsive electronic hydrogel sensor that can relieve osteoarthritis based on carbonized polydopamine-integrated disulfide bonds-contained polymer dots (cPDA@PDA hydrogel) is conceived in this study. The cleavage of disulfide bonds occurred due to the accumulation of CoA-SH, controlling the release of carbonized polydopamine (cPDA) from the integrated polymer dots (PD). The hydrogel mechanical properties are altered, increasing the maximum stretching from 199.7 % to 352.9 % after 12 h and the shift in the surface morphology. The exposure to CoA-SH controls the release of the cPDA, decreasing the electronic resistivity from 147.1 kΩ to 56.99 kΩ after 12 h. In vitro analysis using the articular chondrocytes of wild type (WT), Nudt7-/-, and Acot12-/- shows a sensitivity toward CoA-SH, which is depicted by the decrease in electronic resistance after treatment. In vivo analysis shows a resistance of 131.1 kΩ for the Nudt7-/- mice, which is lower than the resistance of the NUDT7-restored mice (225.1 kΩ). Additionally, cartilage degradation could be prevented for mice-treated PD-containing hydrogel, showing tibia thickness of 111.5 μm compared to that without PD hydrogel (74.84 μm). This result indicates that the cPDA@PD hydrogel can diminish the accumulation of CoA-SH and facilitate the treatment of osteoarthritis.