Natural origin bilayer pullulan-PHBV scaffold for wound healing applications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Chronic wounds pose significant clinical challenges due to impaired healing and infection risk.
• Advanced treatments, including engineered wound dressings and regenerative scaffolds, are crucial for effective chronic wound management.
• Natural origin biopolymers offer biocompatible and biodegradable alternatives for wound healing applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a novel, natural origin, bilayer electrospun scaffold for wound healing applications.
• To investigate the potential of a pullulan (PUL) and poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) composite scaffold.
• To evaluate the scaffold's suitability as both a regenerative and barrier layer for chronic wounds.

Main Methods:

• Optimization and characterization of poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) produced by Cupriavidus necator.
• Fabrication of a bilayer scaffold via electrospinning of hydrophilic PUL onto a hydrophobic PHBV fibrous mat.
• In vitro assessment of scaffold properties including cell proliferation, migration, water retention, and degradation.

Main Results:

• The produced PHBV was characterized using H-NMR, FTIR, SLS, and DSC.
• The bilayer scaffold exhibited optimal water retention and degradation properties for skin tissue regeneration.
• The PUL layer acted as an effective bacterial barrier with good oxygen and water vapor transmission, while the PHBV layer supported cell viability and proliferation.

Conclusions:

• The novel natural origin PUL/PHBV bilayer scaffold demonstrates significant potential for chronic wound healing.
• The scaffold's distinct barrier and regenerative layers effectively support the wound healing process.
• This engineered wound dressing represents a promising candidate for advanced wound care therapies.