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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
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Published on: June 30, 2023
Composite hydrogel formulations of stratifin to control MMP-1 expression in dermal fibroblasts
Elham Rahmani-Neishaboor1, John Jackson, Helen Burt
1BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn & Wound Healing Research Lab. Jack Bell Research Center, 2660 Oak St., Vancouver, B.C. V6H 3Z6, Canada.
Purpose:
Stratifin is a potent anti-fibrogenic factor that stimulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in dermal fibroblasts. The propose of this work was to develop a controlled release delivery system for stratifin that can be applied at the time of wound closure to release stratifin and stimulate the expression of MMP-1 in a sustained manner over the late stages of wound healing (after 3 days).
Methods:
Stratifin was complexed to chitosan particles, which were then encapsulated in PLGA microspheres and blended into crosslinked hyaluronic acid films. In vitro release was assessed using fluorescent-tagged stratifin, cytotoxicity by MTT assay and bioactivity by measuring the levels of MMP-1 expression in cultured fibroblasts.
Results:
The release of stratifin was delayed for 3 days and then controlled for 30 days so that 60% of the total stratifin loaded was released. The released protein significantly stimulated the expression of MMP-1 in cultured fibroblasts without compromising cell viability. By complexing to chitosan, the initial burst release was reduced, so that only 5% of stratifin was released in 3 days.
Conclusion:
This stratifin delivery system has the potential to be used as an anti-fibrogenic factor-associated wound insert for improving post-surgical scarring in closed wound.
