Reactive oxide species and ultrasound dual-responsive bilayer microneedle array for in-situ sequential therapy of acute myocardial infarction

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) resulting from coronary artery occlusion stands as the predominant cause of cardiovascular disability and mortality worldwide. An all-encompassing treatment strategy targeting pathological processes of oxidative stress, inflammation, proliferation and fibrotic remodeling post-AMI is anticipated to enhance therapeutic outcomes. Herein, an up-down-structured bilayer microneedle (Ce-CLMs-BMN) with reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ultrasound (US) dual-responsiveness is proposed for AMI in-situ sequential therapy. The upper-layer microneedle is formulated by crosslinking ROS-sensitive linker with polyvinyl alcohol loaded with cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeNPs) featuring versatile enzyme-mimetic activities. During AMI acute phase, prompted by ischemia-induced microenvironmental redox imbalance, this layer swiftly releases CeNPs, which aid in eliminating excessive ROS and catalyzing oxygen gas (O2) production through multiple enzymatic pathways, thereby alleviating oxidative stress-induced damage and modulating inflammation. In AMI chronic repair phase, micro-nano reactors (CLMs) situated in the lower-layer microneedle undergo cascade reactions with the assistance of US irradiation to generate nitric oxide (NO). As a bioactive molecule with pro-angiogenic and anti-fibrotic effects, NO expedites cardiac repair while attenuating adverse remodeling. Additionally, its antiplatelet-aggregating properties contribute to thromboprophylaxis. In-vitro and in-vivo results substantiate the efficacy of this integrated healing approach in AMI management, showcasing promising prospects for advancing infarcted heart repair.