Bacterial Cellulose as a Potential Bio-Scaffold for Effective Re-Epithelialization Therapy

Abstract

Currently, there are several therapeutic approaches available for wound injury management. However, a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of how biomaterials affect cell behavior is needed to develop potential repair strategies. Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a bacteria-produced biopolymer with several advantageous qualities for skin tissue engineering. The aim here was to investigate BC-based scaffold on epithelial regeneration and wound healing by examining its effects on the expression of scavenger receptor-A (SR-A) and underlying macrophage behavior. Full-thickness skin wounds were generated on Sprague-Dawley rats and the healing of these wounds, with and without BC scaffolds, was examined over 14 days using Masson’s trichome staining. BC scaffolds displayed excellent in vitro biocompatibility, maintained the stemness function of cells and promoted keratinocyte differentiation of cells, which are vital in maintaining and restoring the injured epidermis. BC scaffolds also exhibited positive in vivo effects on the wound microenvironment, including improved skin extracellular matrix deposition and controlled excessive inflammation by reduction of SR-A expression. Furthermore, BC scaffold significantly enhanced epithelialization by stimulating the balance of M1/M2 macrophage re-programming for beneficial tissue repair relative to that of collagen material. These findings suggest that BC-based materials are promising products for skin injury repair.

Fabricating biodegradable calcium phosphate/calcium sulfate cement reinforced with cellulose:in vitroandin vivostudies

“…iNOS and ARG are induced by M1 and M2 macrophages respectively. 61 M1 macrophages with pro-inflammatory properties induce osteoclastogenesis to enhance bone resorption at an early stage. M2 macrophages with anti-inflammatory properties support tissue repair at a late stage.…”

Surface Modification of Bacterial Cellulose for Biomedical Applications

“…Thus, the surface characteristics play a crucial role in determining the performance of a biomaterial [ 46 ]. Surface properties such as topography, wettability, surface charge, and chemistry can directly influence the cell-surface interactions through the transduction of biomechanical stimuli into chemical stimuli, resulting in the activation of different signaling pathways which guide different cellular responses such as the integration of the biomaterial with the host tissue, appropriate immune responses, and infection prevention [ 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 ]. Better surface characteristics gives the possibility of improved interaction with living cells which would then support migration of epithelial cells and fibroblasts to help in accelerated replacement of the lost or damaged tissues resulting in protection of the wound from infection, reducing pain, and lowering health care expenses.…”

An Up-to-Date Review of Biomaterials Application in Wound Management

“…For instance, bacterial cellulose (BC) has attracted scientific interest in developing innovative scaffolds. Cherng et al [ 125 ] have evaluated the potential of BC-based scaffolds of epithelial regeneration and wound healing in vitro and in vivo. The authors reported excellent biocompatibility in vitro, as the material was able to maintain the stemness function of cells and promote keratinocyte differentiation.…”

“… Classification and examples of polymers used for fabricating biomaterial scaffolds. Created based on information from [ 115 , 118 , 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 ]. Abbreviations: PCL—poly (ε-caprolactone), PLA—polylactic acid, PLGA—poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), PAM—polyacrylamide, PHB—poly-3-hydroxybutyrate, PUR—polyurethane.…”