Microorganism microneedle micro-engine depth drug delivery

Bin Zheng (), Qiuya Li, Laiping Fang, Xiaolu Cai, Yan Liu, Yanhong Duo, Bowen Li, Zhengyu Wu, Boxi Shen, Yang Bai (), Shi-Xiang Cheng () and Xingcai Zhang ()
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Bin Zheng: Tianjin University
Qiuya Li: Tianjin University
Laiping Fang: Jinan University
Xiaolu Cai: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Yan Liu: Harvard University
Yanhong Duo: Harvard University
Bowen Li: Tianjin University
Zhengyu Wu: Tianjin University
Boxi Shen: Tianjin University
Yang Bai: Tianjin University
Shi-Xiang Cheng: TANGYI Biomedicine (Tianjin) Co. Ltd (TBMed)
Xingcai Zhang: Stanford University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: Abstract As a transdermal drug delivery method, microneedles offer minimal invasiveness, painlessness, and precise in-situ treatment. However, current microneedles rely on passive diffusion, leading to uncontrollable drug penetration. To overcome this, we developed a pneumatic microneedle patch that uses live Enterobacter aerogenes as microengines to actively control drug delivery. These microbes generate gas, driving drugs into deeper tissues, with adjustable glucose concentration allowing precise control over the process. Our results showed that this microorganism-powered system increases drug delivery depth by over 200%, reaching up to 1000 μm below the skin. In a psoriasis animal model, the technology effectively delivered calcitriol into subcutaneous tissues, offering rapid symptom relief. This innovation addresses the limitations of conventional microneedles, enhancing drug efficiency, transdermal permeability, and introducing a creative paradigm for on-demand controlled drug delivery.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53280-8

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