Hybrid Collagen Hydrogel/Chondroitin-4-Sulphate Fortified with Dermal Fibroblast Conditioned Medium for Skin Therapeutic Application

Abstract

The current strategy for rapid wound healing treatment involves combining a biomaterial and cell-secreted proteins or biomolecules. This study was aimed at characterizing 3-dimensional (3D) collagen hydrogels fortified with dermal fibroblast-conditioned medium (DFCM) as a readily available acellular skin substitute. Confluent fibroblasts were cultured with serum-free keratinocyte-specific medium (KM1 and KM2) and fibroblast-specific medium (FM) to obtain DFCM. Subsequently, the DFCM was mixed with collagen (Col) hydrogel and chondroitin-4-sulphate (C4S) to fabricate 3D constructs termed Col/C4S/DFCM-KM1, Col/C4S/DFCM-KM2, and Col/C4S/DFCM-FM. The constructs successfully formed soft, semi-solid and translucent hydrogels within 1 h of incubation at 37 °C with strength of <2.5 Newton (N). The Col/C4S/DFCM demonstrated significantly lower turbidity compared to the control groups. The Col/C4S/DFCM also showed a lower percentage of porosity (KM1: 35.15 ± 9.76%; KM2: 6.85 ± 1.60%; FM: 14.14 ± 7.65%) compared to the Col (105.14 ± 11.87%) and Col/C4S (143.44 ± 27.72%) constructs. There were no changes in both swelling and degradation among all constructs. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry showed that all groups consisted of oxygen–hydrogen bonds (O-H) and amide I, II, and III. In conclusion, the Col/C4S/DFCM constructs maintain the characteristics of native collagen and can synergistically deliver essential biomolecules for future use in skin therapeutic applications.

Effect of Different Collection Times of Dermal Fibroblast Conditioned Medium (DFCM) on In Vitro Re-Epithelialisation Process

“…The concentration of VEGF-α was significantly higher in DFCM-FM-3 compared to DFCM-KM-3, whereas the concentration of ICAM-1 was significantly higher in DFCM-KM-3 compared to DFCM-FM-3. These factors are mostly involved in angiogenesis, epithelialisation, and tissue remodelling processes [ 10 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ], indicating that DFCM may facilitate the wound-healing process [ 39 ]. VEGF-α induces angiogenesis by stimulating endothelial cell mitogenesis [ 40 ].…”

Progress in Wound-Healing Products Based on Natural Compounds, Stem Cells, and MicroRNA-Based Biopolymers in the European, USA, and Asian Markets: Opportunities, Barriers, and Regulatory Issues

“…Furthermore, researchers are exploring the use of advanced techniques such as 3D bioprinting and microfabrication to precisely engineer complex biopolymer structures and create customized wound-healing platforms [71][72][73][74]. Catanzano et al reviewed the design, characterization, and evaluation of wound-healing products integrated with growth factors [75].…”

Chondroitin sulfate-based composites: a tour d’horizon of their biomedical applications

“…Hence, the Col/C4S/DFCM 3D hydrogel maintained the feature of native Coll and also delivered essential biomolecules effectively for future use in skin TE applications. 305…”

“…Hence, the Col/C4S/DFCM 3D hydrogel maintained the feature of native Coll and also delivered essential biomolecules effectively for future use in skin TE applications. 305 In another investigation, Silva et al produced a CS/PVA/ bovine bone powder (BPP) biocomposite through the cyclic freeze-thaw method. The scaffold showed enhanced porosity, and biodegradability, along with increased water uptaking and holding capacity.…”