Electrospun nanofiber composite mat based on ulvan for wound dressing applications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Wound dressings accelerate healing by creating a conducive environment.
• Ulvan (ULV) possesses antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Polycaprolactone (PCL) offers biocompatibility and mechanical strength.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a PCL-ULV fibrous composite mat via electrospinning.
• To characterize the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the PCL-ULV mat.
• To evaluate its potential as a wound dressing for scarless healing.

Main Methods:

• Electrospinning of PCL-ULV composite nanofibers.
• SEM for morphology and fiber diameter analysis.
• FTIR, calcofluor white staining, and monosaccharide analysis for component verification.
• Water contact angle measurement for hydrophilicity assessment.
• NIH3T3 fibroblast culture to assess proliferation, morphology, and gene expression (α-SMA, MMP-9, TIMP-1).

Main Results:

• PCL-ULV fibers exhibited smaller diameters and enhanced hydrophilicity compared to PCL.
• Successful co-electrospinning of ULV with PCL was confirmed.
• NIH3T3 fibroblasts showed increased adhesion, proliferation, and stretching on PCL-ULV compared to PCL.
• Elevated α-SMA and MMP-9 gene expression, with a lower TIMP-1/MMP-9 ratio, were observed on PCL-ULV.

Conclusions:

• The PCL-ULV fibrous mat demonstrates favorable physical and biological properties for wound healing.
• Enhanced fibroblast activity and gene expression profiles suggest potential for promoting scarless wound repair.
• This PCL-ULV composite holds promise as an advanced wound dressing material.