Chitosan–poly(caprolactone) nanofibers for skin repair

Abstract

Dermal wounds, both acute and chronic, represent a significant clinical challenge and therefore the development of novel biomaterial-based skin substitutes to promote skin repair is essential. Nanofibers have garnered attention as materials to promote skin regeneration due to the similarities in morphology and dimensionality between nanofibers and native extracellular matrix proteins, which are critical in guiding cutaneous wound healing. Electrospun chitosan-poly(caprolactone) (CPCL) nanofiber scaffolds, which combine the important intrinsic biological properties of chitosan and the mechanical integrity and stability of PCL, were evaluated as skin tissue engineering scaffolds using a mouse cutaneous excisional skin defect model. Gross assessment of wound size and measurement of defect recovery over time as well as histological evaluation of wound healing showed that CPCL nanofiber scaffolds increased wound healing rate and promoted more complete wound closure as compared with Tegaderm, a commercially available occlusive dressing. CPCL nanofiber scaffolds represent a biomimetic approach to skin repair by serving as an immediately available provisional matrix to promote wound closure. These nanofiber scaffolds may have significant potential as a skin substitute or as the basis for more complex skin tissue engineering constructs involving integration with biologics.

Therapeutic strategies for skin regeneration based on biomedical substitutes

“…Nowadays other skin substitutes made of synthetic polymers, such as PLGA, polycaprolactone, or polypyrrole, are being investigated to generate membranes as platforms to seed fibroblasts …”

“…33 Nowadays other skin substitutes made of synthetic polymers, such as PLGA, polycaprolactone, or polypyrrole, are being investigated to generate membranes as platforms to seed fibroblasts. [37][38][39][40][41][42] Regarding composite allografts, Apligraf â is a bovine collagen-based substitute which is more complex than previous substitutes since it includes fibroblasts and keratinocytes. It is often used for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, accelerating wound healing.…”

Transforming Nanofiber Mats into Hierarchical Scaffolds with Graded Changes in Porosity and/or Nanofiber Alignment

“…The nanofiber-based mats have shown great potential as scaffolds for applications in tissue engineering. [12][13][14] In our prior studies, we have demonstrated the fabrication of scaffolds with both uniaxially aligned and random nanofibers in adjacent regions to recapitulate the structural organization of collagen fibrils at the tendon-to-bone insertion. [8][9][10][11] On the other hand, random nanofibers are better suited for the repair of disorganized tissues such as bone, skin, and cartilage.…”

Synthesis of a novel organosoluble, biocompatible, and antibacterial chitosan derivative for biomedical applications

“…This blending of CS with synthetic polymers facilitates the tailoring of the degradation rates required for specific applications . Among commercially available synthetic polymers, polycaprolactone (PCL) is used widely for biomedical applications . PCL is a biocompatible and biodegradable polyester.…”

“…18 Among commercially available synthetic polymers, polycaprolactone (PCL) is used widely for biomedical applications. 36 PCL is a biocompatible and biodegradable polyester. It is a hydrophobic polymer and has very good solubility in organic solvents and blending compatibility with a variety of polymers.…”