Multi-hierarchical biofunctional polymeric biomaterial to promote wound closure

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Wound Healing Technologies

Background:

• Chronic wounds pose significant medical and economic challenges due to delayed healing and infection risk.
• Biofunctional biomaterials that mimic the extracellular matrix and deliver therapeutics are crucial for tissue regeneration.
• Hierarchically structured, multifunctional biomaterials, including hydrogels, offer advanced solutions for complex wound healing processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel hierarchical multi-layer hybrid biomaterial (HMHB) for enhanced chronic wound management.
• To create a Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)-responsive wound dressing capable of controlled therapeutic release.
• To engineer a bioactive, antibacterial wound dressing with structural integrity and tunable properties.

Main Methods:

• Sequential combination of melt electrowriting (MEW) and electrospinning techniques to fabricate the HMHB.
• Development of a polycaprolactone (PCL) macro/micro structured support (MSS) via MEW.
• Deposition of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) electrospun fibrous film (EFF) onto the PCL support, incorporating Nisin for antibacterial activity.

Main Results:

• The fabricated HMHB exhibited a hierarchical architecture with a robust PCL framework and a PVA nanotextured layer.
• The construct demonstrated structural integrity and homogeneous fiber coverage, ensuring mechanical robustness.
• Incorporation of Nisin into the PVA layer provided effective antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis without chemical modification.

Conclusions:

• The developed HMHB serves as a promising proof-of-concept for modular and multifunctional wound dressing design.
• The ROS-responsive nature and antibacterial properties of the HMHB are advantageous for chronic wound treatment.
• This advanced biomaterial facilitates improved wound healing by addressing key challenges like infection and delayed closure.