Nanostructured bacterial cellulose membranes as high-performance scaffolds for melanocyte transplantation

Melanocyte (MC) suspension transplantation is a promising treatment for vitiligo, however, the high fluidity of the suspension leading to leakage remains a significant challenge. This study explores bacterial cellulose (BC) membranes as novel scaffolds for MC transplantation, evaluating structural and mechanical properties, as well as the capacity to support cell viability. These membranes were assembled by pre-fibrillated BC nanofibrils, followed by four drying methods - hot-press drying, vacuum oven drying, air drying, and freeze drying - to tailor the material structure. Besides the easy preparation, air-dried BC demonstrated superior mechanical strength, flexibility, breathability, liquid absorption and retention, which even surpass traditional scaffolds such as collagen, chitosan and amniotic membranes. Plasma surface treatment further enhanced MC adhesion (∼90%) without compromising the scaffold's physical properties. In vitro analyses confirmed high MC viability, sustained melanin production, and structural preservation, while the trial on mice skin showed effective cell engraftment and improved localization compared to conventional suspension transplantation methods. These findings highlight the BC membrane as a robust and biocompatible scaffold, with significant potential to enhance the clinical efficacy of vitiligo treatments.