Antimicrobial Effect of Nitric Oxide Releasing Hydrogels on Staphylococcus Aureus Derived Proteases

This study developed nitric oxide (NO)–releasing poly-ε-lysine (pεK) hydrogels as multifunctional wound dressings designed to both reduce bacterial burden and preserve skin barrier integrity. The hydrogels demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus while simultaneously inhibiting the activity of secreted V8 protease, a key virulence factor that disrupts extracellular matrix remodeling during wound healing. Mechanical characterization confirmed that NO functionalization modestly reduced hydrogel stiffness while maintaining properties within the range suitable for skin and wound applications. The work highlights the importance of coupling antimicrobial efficacy with mechanically appropriate biomaterials to modulate inflammation, fibrosis, and tissue repair in infected wounds.