A new engineered 'living bandage' continuously delivers healing proteins at wound sites, showing faster tissue repair in animal studies.
Engineered “ living bandage s” could offer a new way to treat chronic wounds by delivering healing signals directly where the body needs them most. Researchers at Rice University developed a cytokine factory patch that continuously releases therapeutic proteins inside wounds.
Chronic wounds remain difficult to treat because the body often struggles to maintain the immune signals needed for tissue repair. Existing therapies also face limitations because healing proteins degrade quickly and fail to remain at the wound site for long periods. The Rice team designed the patch as a cell-based delivery platform that uses engineered cells as miniature factories. These cells continuously produce cytokines over extended periods instead of releasing them in short bursts.
Cytokines are signaling proteins that regulate inflammation, immune activity, and tissue regeneration. By delivering them directly at the wound site, the patch aims to maintain a stable healing environment during recovery. The device came from the laboratory of Omid Veiseh. Researchers encapsulated ARPE-19 cells engineered to secrete cytokines including IL-10, IL-12 and TGF-β inside a protective biocompatible matrix.
The matrix allows nutrients and therapeutic proteins to move through the material while shielding the engineered cells from the host immune system. Researchers said this setup helps sustain localized cytokine delivery for longer periods. In preclinical studies, the patch accelerated healing in excisional wound models in mice and pigs. The findings highlighted the potential of sustained, localized immune modulation during tissue repair..
He added that maintaining a steady supply of signaling molecules at the wound site helped engage the body’s natural healing response more effectively. Transcriptomic analysis showed increased activity in genes linked to tissue regeneration and immune modulation. The results provided a molecular explanation for the faster healing observed in the animal models. The platform also offers flexibility beyond a single treatment strategy.
Researchers designed the system so scientists can modify the engineered cells to produce different combinations of cytokines, growth factors, or therapeutic proteins. That modular structure could help tailor future treatments for different wound types and diseases. The team also integrated an optimized hydrogel matrix that may eventually work alongside bioelectronic technologies. , assistant research professor in Rice’s bioengineering department and co-author of the study, said the team now plans to improve control over cytokine delivery.
“The ability to tune both the type and timing of cytokine delivery opens the door to more precise control over the healing process,” Schreib said. He added that future work may include optogenetic systems that regulate cytokine secretion in real time. The research received support from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Aamir is a seasoned tech journalist with experience at Exhibit Magazine, Republic World, and PR Newswire.
With a deep love for all things tech and science, he has spent years decoding the latest innovations and exploring how they shape industries, lifestyles, and the future of humanity.
Chronic Wounds Cytokine Factory Patch Cytokines Living Bandage Regenerative Medicine Rice University Wound Healing
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