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Microenvironment Remodeling Self-Healing Hydrogel for Promoting Flap Survival
Yikun Ju1, Pu Yang1, Xiangjun Liu1
1Department of Plastic and Aesthetic (Burn) Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
Biomaterials Research
|February 23, 2024
Summary
A novel self-healing hydrogel loaded with extracellular vesicles and ceria nanozymes effectively combats oxidative stress and enhances blood vessel formation, significantly improving random flap survival in reconstructive surgery.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Background:
- Random flap grafting is crucial for tissue defect repair but is limited by flap necrosis due to ischemia-reperfusion injury.
- Ischemia-reperfusion injury generates reactive oxygen species, creating a detrimental microenvironment that hinders cellular function and blood vessel growth (angiogenesis).
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a microenvironment-remodeling, self-healing hydrogel (LCH@EVs&CNZs) to enhance skin flap regeneration and survival.
- To investigate the synergistic effects of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and ceria nanozymes (CNZs) within a hydrogel matrix.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a self-healing laminarin-chitosan-based hydrogel (LCH) using Schiff base chemistry.
- Incorporation of ceria nanozymes (CNZs) for reactive oxygen species scavenging and extracellular vesicles (EVs) for promoting cellular activities.
- Evaluation of the hydrogel's capacity to scavenge reactive oxygen species, enhance cell migration, and promote angiogenesis.
Main Results:
- The LCH@EVs&CNZs hydrogel demonstrated significant reactive oxygen species scavenging ability, protecting cells from oxidative stress.
- The constructs effectively promoted cell migration and enhanced angiogenesis, crucial for tissue repair.
- Significant improvements in random flap survival were observed using the developed hydrogel therapy.
Conclusions:
- The LCH@EVs&CNZs hydrogel successfully remodels the pathological skin flap microenvironment.
- This innovative therapeutic strategy combining microenvironment modulation and EV therapy shows great promise for improving flap survival in reconstructive surgery.
