Abstract
BackgroundA tissue-engineered skin substitute, based on gelatin (“G”), collagen (“C”), and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL; “P”), was developed.MethodG/C/P biocomposites were fabricated by impregnation of lyophilized gelatin/collagen (GC) mats with PCL solutions, followed by solvent evaporation. Two different GC:PCL ratios (1:8 and 1:20) were used.ResultsDifferential scanning calorimetry revealed that all G/C/P biocomposites had characteristic melting point of PCL at around 60 °C. Scanning electron microscopy showed that all biocomposites had similar fibrous structures. Good cytocompatibility was present in all G/C/P biocomposites when incubated with primary human epidermal keratinocytes (PHEK), human dermal fibroblasts (PHDF) and human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in vitro. All G/C/P biocomposites exhibited similar cell growth and mechanical characteristics in comparison with C/P biocomposites. G/C/P biocomposites with a lower collagen content showed better cell proliferation than those with a higher collagen content in vitro. Due to reasonable mechanical strength and biocompatibility in vitro, G/C/P with a lower content of collagen and a higher content of PCL (GCLPH) was selected for animal wound healing studies. According to our data, a significant promotion in wound healing and skin regeneration could be observed in GCLPH seeded with adipose-derived stem cells by Gomori’s trichrome staining.ConclusionThis study may provide an effective and low-cost wound dressings to assist skin regeneration for clinical use.
Highlights
Biocomposites, biocompatible and/or eco-friendly composites, can be formed by different varieties of natural and synthetic polymers including polysaccharides, proteins and biodegradable synthetic polymers
Aliquots (0.5 ml) of PCL (Mw=115000; Solvay Interox, Warrington, UK) /dichloromethane (DCM with HPLC grade; Fisher Scientific, Loughborough, UK) solution were added carefully to the freeze dried G/C mats with low collagen content to produce GCLPL(G/C:PCL is 1:8) and GCLPH (G/C:PCL is 1:20) biocomposites respectively, whereas aliquots (0.5ml) of PCL/dichloromethane (DCM) solution were added to the freeze dried gelatin/ collagen mats with high collagen content to produce GCHPL(G/C:PCL is 1:8) and GCHPH (G/C:PCL is 1:20) biocomposites respectively
The compositions and fabrication of G/C/P biocomposites are present in Table 1 and the cumulative release of protein from the biocomposites is shown in Fig. 1 and Table 2
Summary
Biocomposites, biocompatible and/or eco-friendly composites, can be formed by different varieties of natural and synthetic polymers including polysaccharides, proteins and biodegradable synthetic polymers. The biomaterials used for supporting skin cell growth include natural biodegradable polymers such as collagen and gelatin, as well as synthetic biodegradable polymers such as α-polyester and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) (Hajiali et al, 2011; Ng, Khor & Hutmacher, 2004). A tissue-engineered skin substitute, based on gelatin (‘‘G’’), collagen (‘‘C’’), and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL; ‘‘P’’), was developed. G/C/P biocomposites with a lower collagen content showed better cell proliferation than those with a higher collagen content in vitro. Due to reasonable mechanical strength and biocompatibility in vitro, G/C/P with a lower content of collagen and a higher content of PCL (GCLPH) was selected for animal wound healing studies. A significant promotion in wound healing and skin regeneration could be observed in GCLPH seeded with adipose-derived stem cells by Gomori’s trichrome staining. This study may provide an effective and low-cost wound dressings to assist skin regeneration for clinical use
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