Collagen nanofibers enhanced by plasma rich growth factors (PRGF) for the burn wound healing

Severe burns impair the body's natural healing capacity, often resulting in delayed tissue repair. Platelets facilitate hemostasis and initiate wound healing through growth factor release. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of collagen nanofibers enriched with Plasma Rich Growth Factors (PRGF) to enhance cell proliferation, migration, and wound healing in burn injuries.

PRGF powder was prepared from whole blood using a two-step centrifugation protocol followed by freeze-thaw activation and incorporated into collagen/polyethylene oxide (COL/PEO) electrospun nanofibers. The physicochemical properties and growth factor release profile of the nanofibers were characterized. In vitro assays evaluated the effects of PRGF-loaded nanofibers on fibroblast viability and migration. For in vivo analysis, a standardized full-thickness burn wound model was induced in male Wistar rats following Orio's rules. Wound healing was assessed over a 21-day period through macroscopic wound closure measurements and histological analyses, including H&E staining, Masson's trichrome staining, and VEGF immunohistochemistry.

PRGF-loaded collagen nanofibers showed an initial burst release of growth factors followed by sustained release. In vitro, PRGF incorporation significantly enhanced fibroblast viability and migration. In vivo, the PRGF + COL/PEO group demonstrated markedly accelerated wound healing, with improved re-epithelialization, reduced inflammation, greater fibroblast infiltration, and more organized collagen deposition. VEGF expression peaked at day 14, indicating increased angiogenesis, and declined by day 21 as vascular remodeling progressed.

Collagen nanofibers enriched with PRGF provide a promising wound dressing that promotes cell proliferation and migration, accelerating burn wound repair. The absence of leukocytes in PRGF compared to platelet-rich plasma (PRP) further supports its therapeutic advantage in tissue regeneration.