Biocomposite nanofiber matrices to support ECM remodeling by human dermal progenitors and enhanced wound closure

Abstract

Cell-based therapies have recently been the focus of much research to enhance skin wound healing. An important challenge will be to develop vehicles for cell delivery that promote survival and uniform distribution of cells across the wound bed. These systems should be stiff enough to facilitate handling, whilst soft enough to limit damage to newly synthesized wound tissue and minimize patient discomfort. Herein, we developed several novel modifiable nanofibre scaffolds comprised of Poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and gelatin (GE). We asked whether they could be used as a functional receptacle for adult human Skin-derived Precursor Cells (hSKPs) and how naked scaffolds impact endogenous skin wound healing. PCL and GE were electrospun in a single facile solvent to create composite scaffolds and displayed unique morphological and mechanical properties. After seeding with adult hSKPs, deposition of extracellular matrix proteins and sulphated glycosaminoglycans was found to be enhanced in composite grafts. Moreover, composite scaffolds exhibited significantly higher cell proliferation, greater cell spreading and integration within the nanofiber mats. Transplantation of acellular scaffolds into wounds revealed scaffolds exhibited improvement in dermal-epidermal thickness, axonal density and collagen deposition. These results demonstrate that PCL-based nanofiber scaffolds show promise as a cell delivery system for wound healing.

Titanium Nanorods Loaded PCL Meshes with Enhanced Blood Vessel Formation and Cell Migration for Wound Dressing Applications

“…An increase in epidermal and dermal thickness when compared to bare PCL was observed on PCL‐TNR treated healed wounds (Figure S3, Supporting Information). Our results suggest that the application of PCL‐TNR meshes shows better healing when compared to bare PCL as the epidermal and dermal thickness might be due to the higher viability and/or proliferation of cells . Different cell types observed on the healed skin was determined based on a scoring system (Table S3, Supporting Information).…”

From Dermal Patch to Implants—Applications of Biocomposites in Living Tissues

“…Natural polymers, on the other hand, are biocompatible and biodegradable but often present poor mechanical strength and limited shelf-life [53]. Considering these parameters, Anjum et al [54] developed a nanofiber scaffold composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and gelatin, as illustrated in Figure 4a. Even though PCL is a biodegradable polyester used in different medical applications [55], this polymer has shown reduced cell adhesion, due to a lack of cell-recognition sites.…”

“…Nanohydroxyapatite and glycol chitosan [10] Hydroxyapatite and polymeric blend (fibroin, chitosan and agarose) [11] Calcium silicate, zinc silicate and graphene oxide [15] Collagen, silk fibroin and dECM [26] Boron nitride and boron trioxide [28] Nanohydroxyapatite, calcium sulfate and bioactive molecules [32] Orthopedic Implants PEEK and graphene oxide [39] CFRPEEK, nanohydroxyapatite, carboxymethyl, chitosan and bone forming peptide [41] Polyphenylene sulfide and nanohydroxyapatite [42] Polyimide and tantalum pentaoxide [43] Hydroxyapatite, ceria nanoparticles and silver nanoparticles [44] Wound Healing Polycaprolactone and gelatin [54] Chitosan, polyethylene oxide and fibrinogen [57] Collagen, alginate and silver nanoparticles [60] Polyurethane, keratin and silver nanoparticles [63] Collagen and dextran [65] Tissue Engineering Fibrin, alginate and genipin [68] PEDOT, chitosan and gelatin [70] Polycaprolactone, silk fibroin and carbon nanotubes [71] Silk fibroin and melanin [78] Polycaprolactone and collagen [82] Gelatin, alginate and fibrinogen [88] Collagen type I and gelatin methacryloyl [89] Author Contributions: Conceptualization, K.P.V., A.B., and A.S.; writing-original draft preparation, K.P.V. ; writing-review and editing, K.P.V., A.B., and A.S.; supervision, A.B.…”

“…Applications of Biocomposites to Wound Healing: (a) SEM images of polycaprolactone-gelatin nanofiber scaffold (top) and morphology expression of human skin-derived precursor cells (hSKPs) cells on this matrix. Reproduced with permission from Reference[54]. (b) SEM image of fibrous scaffold composed of chitosan, polyethylene oxide, fibrinogen (top).…”

Natural Nanohydroxyapatite Synthesis via Ultrasonication from <i>Donax Trunculus</i> Bivalve Sea Shells and Production of its Electrospun Nanobiocomposite

“…An encouraging challenge will be to built up nanofiber structures that enhance survival and uniform distribution of cells resulting superior properties. These systems should be stiff enough to ease handling, while elastic enough to limit damage to newly occured tissues [1]. Thus a composite material incoorporated bioceramic and polymeric phases are presented purposefully in this study.…”