Going below and beyond the surface: Microneedle structure, materials, drugs, fabrication, and applications for wound healing and tissue regeneration

Bioactive Materials, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.04.003 · Published: April 2, 2023

Simple Explanation

Microneedles are gaining traction as a novel drug delivery method due to their non-invasive nature, painless administration, and capacity for controllable drug release. They can carry diverse cargos. Beyond delivering drugs through the skin, microneedles are showing promise in promoting wound healing and tissue regeneration across various tissues and organs. This review provides a guideline for readers to design their microneedle systems according to different applications, including material selection, drug selection, and structure design, for achieving better healing and regeneration efficacy.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Review article

Key Findings

1
Microneedles can easily pass through physical barriers at wound sites and sustainably release drugs, enhancing drug delivery efficiency.
2
Microneedles can provide mechanical stimulation for wound healing and tissue regeneration by inducing collagen deposition and reorganization.
3
The structure of microneedles allows for loading of a wide range of drugs, including small and large molecules, nucleic acids, nanoparticles, extracellular vesicles, or even cells.

Research Summary

This review provides a comprehensive overview of microneedle systems, including potential cargos, structural designs, material selection, and drug release mechanisms. The review summarizes different microneedle fabrication methods and discusses their advantages and limitations, including MEMS-based methods, micromolding, drawing-based methods, and 3D-printing-based methods. The review details recent progress in microneedle-assisted wound healing and tissue regeneration across various tissues and organs, highlighting the current limitations of each application.

Practical Implications

Enhanced Drug Delivery

Microneedles can bypass physical barriers at wound sites, leading to more effective drug delivery.

Mechanical Stimulation

Microneedles provide mechanical cues that promote collagen deposition and tissue reorganization, aiding in wound healing.

Versatile Drug Loading

Microneedles can deliver a wide range of therapeutic agents, including small molecules, macromolecules, nucleic acids, nanoparticles, extracellular vesicles, and cells.

Study Limitations

1
Wound models are often simple with mild environments, lacking severe infection or ulceration.
2
Application sites are primarily limited to the back of rats, not accounting for complex stress environments.
3
The clinical translation of microneedles is still ongoing, requiring further research and development.

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