Oxygen-generating tissue adhesives via CaO2-mediated oxygen generation and in situ catechol oxidation for wound management

Bioinspired catechol amines, such as dopamine (DA), have been widely utilized as tissue adhesives for wound management. However, the development of DA-based adhesives is still challenging owing to the slow oxidation rate and low conjugation efficacy to the polymer backbone. Herein, we report on a new type of DA-incorporating and oxygen-generating tissue adhesive via a calcium peroxide (CaO2)-mediated crosslinking reaction for wound management. Gelatin-based oxygen-generating tissue adhesives (GOT) are fabricated through CaO2-mediated oxygen generation and facilitated in situ DA polymerization. These GOT hydrogels exhibit controllable gelation and mechanical properties with strong tissue adhesiveness (15–38 kPa). Moreover, the adhesive matrices rapidly generate oxygen up to 70% pO2 and provide transient hyperoxic conditions in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, we demonstrate that the GOT hydrogels facilitated skin wound healing with enhanced neovascularization, hemostasis, and wound closure. In summary, we suggest that our GOT hydrogel is a promising bioactive tissue adhesive for wound management and tissue regeneration.