Porous Se@SiO2 Nanoparticles Enhance Wound Healing by ROS-PI3K/Akt Pathway in Dermal Fibroblasts and Reduce Scar Formation

Abstract

Hypertrophic scarring, which is characterized by excessive extracellular matrix deposition and abnormal fibroblast homeostasis, is an undesirable outcome of dermal wound healing. Once formed, the scar will replace the normal function of local skin, and there are few noninvasive clinical treatments that can cure it. Se@SiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized to suppress oxidative stress, which induced the presence and activation of myofibroblasts during wound recovery. The characterization, antioxidant capacity and biological safety of Se@SiO2 NPs were evaluated. A full-thickness excisional wound model was established, and the wounds were divided into three groups. The re-epithelization and distribution of collagen fibers were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson’s trichome staining after specific treatments. Our results revealed that the Se@SiO2 NPs accelerated dermal wound healing and suppressed the formation of hypertrophic scars, accompanied by oxidative stress inhibition. Moreover, we found that Se@SiO2 NPs worked by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway and upregulating the phosphorylation of Akt. The findings of our study provide a new method to promote dermal scar-free wound healing by suppressing excessive oxidative stress and through PI3K/Akt pathway activation.

Cerium oxide nanoparticles in wound care: a review of mechanisms and therapeutic applications

“…Nanotechnology-based methods have shown significant potential in improving wound healing outcomes through the promotion of cell proliferation and migration, inflammation reduction, angiogenesis induction, and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Various novel nanomaterials, including zinc oxide ( Lin et al, 2017 ), silicon dioxide ( Yang et al, 2022 ), gold and silver nanoparticles ( Sharma et al, 2019 ), and cerium oxide, have been widely investigated for their potential in wound healing ( Thakur et al, 2019 ). These nanomaterials have demonstrated positive effects on wound healing, such as excellent biocompatibility, re-epithelialization, antibacterial properties, and reduced scar formation ( Baptista-Silva et al, 2021 ).…”