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Poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) bilayer skin tissue engineering constructs with improved epidermal
Alessandra Zonari1, Mariana T Cerqueira, Silviene Novikoff
13B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, 4806-909, Taipas, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Caixa Postal 486, CEP 31.270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
This study developed bilayer skin substitutes using polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV) to enhance wound healing. These PHBV structures effectively support skin cell growth and differentiation, showing promise for regenerative medicine.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Bilayer skin substitutes offer a promising approach for improving skin wound healing.
- Current strategies require advanced materials that mimic natural skin structure and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate bilayer skin substitutes using polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV).
- To assess the suitability of PHBV structures for supporting human skin cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Solvent casting and freeze-drying techniques were employed to create nanoporous PHBV membranes and 3D scaffolds.
- Bilayer structures were fabricated to mimic epidermal and dermal layers.
- Human keratinocytes (hKC) and dermal fibroblasts (hDFb) were cultured on PHBV structures.
Main Results:
- PHBV bilayer structures exhibited high water retention and suitable mechanical properties.
- The structures demonstrated susceptibility to enzymatic degradation.
- PHBV supported adhesion and proliferation of both hKC and hDFb.
- Co-cultured hKC formed multilayer structures with basal proliferative cells and upper differentiated cells.
Conclusions:
- PHBV bilayer structures provide a favorable environment for skin cell performance.
- These advanced biomaterials represent a promising strategy for enhancing skin wound healing.
- The developed skin substitutes show potential for clinical applications in regenerative dermatology.
