Abstract
Management of chronic diabetic ulcers remains as a major challenge in healthcare which requires extensive multidisciplinary approaches to ensure wound protection, management of excess wound exudates and promoting healing. Developing wound healing patches that can act as a protective barrier and support healing is highly needed to manage chronic diabetic ulcers. In order to boost the wound healing potential of patch material, bioactive agents such as growth factors can be used. Porous membranes made of nanofibers generated using electrospinning have potential for application as wound coverage matrices. However, electrospun membranes produced from several biodegradable polymers are hydrophobic and cannot manage the excess exudates produced by chronic wounds. Gelatin-methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels absorb excess exudates and provide an optimal biological environment for the healing wound. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) promotes cell migration, angiogenesis and overall wound healing. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) membranes provide microbial, thermal and mechanical barrier properties to the wound healing patch. Herein, we developed a biodegradable polymeric patch based on the combination of mechanically stable electrospun PHBV, GelMA hydrogel and EGF for promoting diabetic wound healing. In vitro and in vivo studies were carried out to evaluate the effect of developed patches on cell proliferation, cell migration, angiogenesis and wound healing. Our results showed that EGF loaded patches can promote the migration and proliferation of multiple types of cells (keratinocytes, fibroblasts and endothelial cells) and enhance angiogenesis. In situ development of the patch and subsequent in vivo wound healing study in diabetic rats showed that EGF loaded patches provide rapid healing compared to control wounds. Interestingly, 100 ng EGF per cm2 of the patches was enough to provide favourable cellular response, angiogenesis and rapid diabetic wound healing. Overall results indicate that EGF loaded PHBV-GelMA hybrid patch could be a promising approach to promote diabetic wound healing.
Highlights
Wound healing remains a major challenge in diabetic patients that results in morbidity and mortality due to several complications such as systemic inflammatory responses, severe sepsis and amputation of limbs [1]
We developed a diabetic wound healing patch composed of GelMA as a soft layer loaded with epidermal growth factor (EGF) to support healing on electrospun PHBV meshes as mechanical barrier to protect the wound from the external environment
Based on the obtained results of detailed physicomechanical and biological characterization, we propose that EGF loaded PHBV-GelMA hybrid patches with their flexible morphological features, good me chanical properties, ability to provide a niche for cell adhesion/pro liferation and cues for vascularization, are an effective candidate for diabetic wound healing applications
Summary
Wound healing remains a major challenge in diabetic patients that results in morbidity and mortality due to several complications such as systemic inflammatory responses, severe sepsis and amputation of limbs [1]. Presence of significantly larger population of Materials Science & Engineering C 118 (2021) 111519 inflammatory cells which produce proteases like matrix metallopro teinases (MMPs) result in a shortage of growth factors that provide the cues for cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis and wound healing [7]. Localized delivery of growth factors in diabetic ulcers offer great promise for optimal wound management as they activate various cel lular responses such as cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation to facilitate rapid wound healing [8,9]. Since the chronic wound microenvironment is hostile for local EGF bioavailability, administration of EGF in the diabetic wounds using a biopolymeric patch could be a promising approach to provide its longterm bioactivity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
