Abstract
Simple SummaryMarine ecosystems are a huge source of unexplored “blue” materials for different applications. The edible part of sea urchin is limited, and the vast majority of the product ends up as waste. Our studies intend to fully recycle wastes from the food industry and reconvert them in high added-value products, as innovative biocompatible skin substitutes for tissue regeneration. The aim of the present work is to apply the pioneering skin substitute in in vivo experimental wounds to test its regenerative potential and compare it, in a future study, to the available commercial membranes produced with collagen of bovine, porcine, and equine origin. Results are encouraging since the skin substitute made with marine collagen reduced inflammation, promoted the deposition of granulation tissue, and enhanced a proper re-epithelialization with the adequate development of skin appendages. In summary, our findings might be of great interest for processing industries and biotech companies which transform waste materials in high-valuable and innovative products for Veterinary advanced applications.Skin wound healing is a complex and dynamic process that aims to restore lesioned tissues. Collagen-based skin substitutes are a promising treatment to promote wound healing by mimicking the native skin structure. Recently, collagen from marine organisms has gained interest as a source for producing biomaterials for skin regenerative strategies. This preliminary study aimed to describe the application of a collagen-based skin-like scaffold (CBSS), manufactured with collagen extracted from sea urchin food waste, to treat experimental skin wounds in a large animal. The wound-healing process was assessed over different time points by the means of clinical, histopathological, and molecular analysis. The CBSS treatment improved wound re-epithelialization along with cell proliferation, gene expression of growth factors (VEGF-A), and development of skin adnexa throughout the healing process. Furthermore, it regulated the gene expression of collagen type I and III, thus enhancing the maturation of the granulation tissue into a mature dermis without any signs of scarring as observed in untreated wounds. The observed results (reduced inflammation, better re-epithelialization, proper development of mature dermis and skin adnexa) suggest that sea urchin-derived CBSS is a promising biomaterial for skin wound healing in a “blue biotechnologies” perspective for animals of Veterinary interest.
Highlights
Skin lesions are a common event in the veterinary practice, regardless of sex or age, and they may be of different etiology such as trauma, burns, fights, predation, etc
In a previous study [27], we described the production and the characterization of sea urchin (Paracentrosus lividus)-derived collagen-based skin-like scaffolds (CBSS) composed by an “epidermis-like” layer and a “dermis-like layer,” i.e., a thin 2D collagen membrane and a sponge-like 3D collagen scaffold, respectively
Wounds treated with the CBSS showed an improved macroscopic quality of the regenerated skin throughout the wound healing process in comparison to untreated wounds
Summary
Skin lesions are a common event in the veterinary practice, regardless of sex or age, and they may be of different etiology such as trauma, burns, fights, predation, etc These injuries can often result in loss of skin function due to extensive scarring or inability of the skin to close the wound (e.g., excessive loss of tissue after tumor resection or bite wounds). Large skin wounds are commonly left open to heal by second intention in veterinary patients like horses or dogs [5,6] This common practice has disadvantages such as delayed healing and excessive wound contracture with consequent tissue dysfunction (e.g., a wound on the limb) [7,8]. Tissue engineering might offer a solution to this health issue by creating a scaffold that can accelerate wound closure and support the complete regeneration of the skin in terms of function and anatomy, namely skin appendages and anatomical structure
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