In situ formed anti-inflammatory hydrogel loading plasmid DNA encoding VEGF for burn wound healing

Excessive inflammation and reduced angiogenesis are two major obstacles in burn wound healing and skin regeneration. Here we report the fabrication and application of a sophisticated hydrogel from chemically modified hyaluronic acid (HA), dextran (Dex), and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) integrating resveratrol (Res) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plasmid as the anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic components for burn wounds. Firstly, covalent alterations were conducted to obtain methacrylic acid anhydride modified HA (HAMA), N-hydroxyethylacrylamide (HEAA) modified Dex (Dex-HEAA), and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl acrylate (526) modified β-CD (526-β-CD), respectively. Secondly, anti-inflammatory substance Res was embedded into the lipophilic central cavity of 526-β-CD to achieve a complex of 526-β-CD-Res. Then hydrogels with different HAMA, Dex-HEAA, and 526-β-CD-Res ratios were generated via UV irradiation. Lastly, plasmid DNA encoded with vascular endothelial growth factor (pDNA-VEGF) conjugating with polyethylenimine was loaded into the hydrogel scaffold. Combining the benefits of all components of the scaffold, the hydrogel embedded with Res and VEGF (Gel-Res/pDNA-VEGF) accelerated the splinted excisional burn wound healing, particularly by inhibiting inflammation response and promoting microvascular formation while being biocompatible. The Res and VEGF gene loaded hydrogel system can be considered as a promising wound dressing for the treatment of various types of wounds. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Combining the benefits of all components of the scaffold, the hydrogel embedded with Res and VEGF (Gel-Res/pDNA-VEGF) accelerated the splinted excisional burn wound healing, particularly by inhibiting inflammation response and promoting microvascular formation while being biocompatible. The Res and VEGF gene loaded hydrogel system can be considered as a promising wound dressing for the treatment of various types of wounds.