Functionalising Collagen-Based Scaffolds With Platelet-Rich Plasma for Enhanced Skin Wound Healing Potential

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Porous collagen-glycosaminoglycan (collagen-GAG) scaffolds show promise for wound healing but do not fully replace dermal and epidermal layers simultaneously.
• Functionalizing scaffolds with signaling factors like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can overcome limitations by providing essential growth factors and matrix components.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a novel composite scaffold by homogeneously incorporating platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into collagen-GAG scaffolds.
• To evaluate the efficacy of the composite scaffold in promoting wound healing through enhanced cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and epidermalization.

Main Methods:

• Developed a composite scaffold by incorporating platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into porous collagen-GAG scaffolds.
• Assessed the release of key growth factors (FGF, TGFβ, VEGF, PDGF) from the composite scaffold over 14 days.
• Evaluated the scaffold's effects on cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis (in vitro and in vivo), and macrophage inflammatory responses.
• Tested the scaffold's ability to support co-culture of fibroblasts and keratinocytes for epidermal layer formation.

Main Results:

• The composite scaffold released essential wound healing and vascularization factors for up to 14 days.
• PRP-enhanced scaffolds demonstrated superior cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis compared to controls.
• The composite scaffold exhibited improved mechanical properties and supported keratinocyte seeding for epidermal layer formation.
• Scaffold treatment modulated macrophage inflammatory responses, reducing pro-inflammatory markers and increasing anti-inflammatory markers.

Conclusions:

• The novel collagen-GAG/PRP composite scaffold effectively delivers growth factors and enhances key cellular processes for wound repair.
• This composite scaffold demonstrates significant potential for improved vascularization and epidermal regeneration in wound healing.
• The scaffold's ability to modulate inflammation and support epidermalization suggests its suitability for clinical translation in wound management.