Feather-inspired janus interfaces with spatiotemporal ionic programming for diabetic wound infection control and regenerative healing

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Recalcitrant wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), pose a significant challenge to current therapeutic options due to persistent exudate, high infection risk, and a complex pathological microenvironment. This necessitates a novel dressing that can simultaneously provide both a physical barrier and active biological intervention. Inspired by the feathers of waterfowl, we developed a hierarchically engineered Janus dressing (PPT@PG-BG) via electrospinning, which integrates a hydrophobic antibacterial outer layer with a hydrophilic inner layer for the spatiotemporally controlled release of therapeutic ions (Mg 2+ , Zn 2+ , and Ce 3+ ). This "external defense and internal regulation" strategy effectively re-establishes immune-angiogenic homeostasis by activating the p-ERK/Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, promoting M2 macrophage polarization, and enhancing neovascularization, ultimately achieving accelerated wound healing (97.85% closure) in a diabetic infected wound model. In summary, this Janus dressing, which combines a simple fabrication process with integrated physical protection and multi-ion synergistic biotherapy, provides an effective strategy with significant clinical translation potential for treating complex, hard-to-heal wounds and promises to substantially improve patient outcomes. • A feather-inspired Janus fibrous construct (PPT@PG-BG) is engineered by integrating biomimetic topographical architecture with programmable ionic microenvironment modulation, enabling spatiotemporally coordinated intervention for chronic diabetic wound repair. • The superhydrophobic outer layer functions as a multifunctional barrier, effectively inhibiting microbial adhesion and biofilm development through synergistic physical shielding, wettability control, and sustained antibacterial activity. • The bioactive inner layer dynamically reconstructs the pathological wound microenvironment by releasing therapeutic ions, thereby mitigating oxidative stress, modulating inflammation, and promoting angiogenesis to accelerate tissue regeneration. Significance: This bilayer “external protection-internal regulation” dressing combines an antimicrobial barrier with spatiotemporal ion programming to prevent infection and promote diabetic wound healing, offering a novel and promising solution for complex wound repair.