Hydrogel-based bioadhesives have emerged as alternatives for sutureless wound closure, since they can mimic the composition and physicochemical properties of the extracellular matrix. However, they are often associated with poor mechanical properties, low adhesion to native tissues, and lack of antimicrobial properties. Herein, a new sprayable, elastic, and biocompatible composite hydrogel, with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, for the treatment of chronic wounds is reported. The composite hydrogels were engineered using two ECM-derived biopolymers, gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and methacryloyl-substituted recombinant human tropoelastin (MeTro). MeTro/GelMA composite hydrogel adhesives were formed via visible light-induced crosslinking. Additionally, the antimicrobial peptide Tet213 was conjugated to the hydrogels, instilling antimicrobial activity against Gram (+) and (-) bacteria. The physical properties (e.g. porosity, degradability, swellability, mechanical, and adhesive properties) of the engineered hydrogel could be fine-tuned by varying the ratio of MeTro/GelMA and the final polymer concentration. The hydrogels supported in vitro mammalian cellular growth in both two-dimensional and three dimensional cultures. The subcutaneous implantation of the hydrogels in rats confirmed their biocompatibility and biodegradation in vivo. The engineered MeTro/GelMA-Tet213 hydrogels can be used for sutureless wound closure strategies to prevent infection and promote healing of chronic wounds.Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Successful dermal wound regeneration requires the coordination of repair cells and cellular signals with the extracellular matrix (ECM), which serves as an indispensable mechanical and biological supporter for cell functions and communications with varied cytokines during healing processes. Here, we developed an injectable bioactive wound dressing, methacrylated hyaluronic acid (Me-HA)-based hydrogel loading with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), endowing the dressing with the pleiotropic bioactivity to mimic natural ECM. This bFGF@Me-HA dressing was applied to a mouse with full-thickness excisional wounds to investigate its positive roles in wound repair owing to the complementary functions of HA with sustained release of bioactive bFGF. Compared with the single Me-HA and bFGF group, bFGF@Me-HA hydrogel dressings significantly enhanced wound healing with accelerated re-epithelialization, granulation formation, collagen, deposition and skin appendage regeneration. Further investigations showed significantly promoted cell proliferation and vascularization in the bFGF@Me-HA group, which was mediated by the upregulation of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expressions. In conclusion, this bFGF@Me-HA hydrogel realized the optimization of simple ECM mimic dressing via introducing the bioactive effector, bFGF, and has the potential to be widely used as an effective bioactive ECM-based wound dressing in future wound care.

Normal wound healing is a highly complex process that requires the interplay of various growth factors and cell types. Despite advancements in biomaterials, only a few bioactive wound dressings reach the clinical setting. The purpose of this research was to explore the feasibility of electrospinning a novel nanofibrous chitosan (CS)-fibrinogen (Fb) scaffold capable of sustained release of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) for the promotion of fibroblast migration and wound healing. CS-Fb scaffolds were successfully electrospun using a dual-spinneret electrospinner and directly evaluated for their physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. CS-polyethylene/Fb scaffolds exhibited thinner fiber diameters than nanofibers electrospun from the individual components while demonstrating adequate mechanical properties and homogeneous polymer distribution. In addition, the scaffold demonstrated acceptable water transfer rates for wound healing applications. PDGF was successfully incorporated in the scaffold and maintained functional activity throughout the electrospinning process. Furthermore, released PDGF was effective at promoting fibroblast migration equivalent to a single 50 ng/mL dose of PDGF. The current study demonstrates that PDGF-loaded CS-Fb nanofibrous scaffolds possess characteristics that would be highly beneficial as novel bioactive dressings for enhancement of wound healing.

Burn injuries are a pervasive clinical problem. Extensive thermal trauma can be life-threatening or result in long-lasting complications, generating a significant impact on quality of life for patients as well as a cost burden to the healthcare system. The importance of addressing global or systemic issues such as resuscitation and management of inhalation injuries is not disputed but is beyond the scope of this review, which focuses on cutaneous pathophysiologic mechanisms for current treatments, both in the acute and long-term settings. Pathophysiological mechanisms of burn progression and wound healing are mediated by highly complex cascades of cellular and biochemical events, which become dysregulated in slow-healing wounds such as burns. Burns can result in fibroproliferative scarring, skin contractures, or chronic wounds that take weeks or months to heal. Burn injuries are highly individualized owing to wound-specific differences such as burn depth and surface area, in addition to patient-specific factors including genetics, immune competency, and age. Other extrinsic complications such as microbial infection can complicate wound healing, resulting in prolonged inflammation and delayed re-epithelialization. Although mortality is decreasing with advancements in burn care, morbidity from postburn deformities continues to be a challenge. Optimizing specialized acute care and late burn outcome intervention on a patient-by-patient basis is critical for successful management of burn wounds and the associated pathological scar outcome. Understanding the fundamentals of integument physiology and the cellular processes involved in wound healing is essential for designing effective treatment strategies for burn wound care as well as development of future therapies. Published 2018. Compr Physiol 8:371-405, 2018.Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are crucial in all wound-healing processes. Raftlin also plays an important role in the induction of the autoimmune response and the vascular inflammatory response. Inflammatory mediators induce continuous synthesis and secretion. To the best of our knowledge, although there are studies in the literature on antioxidant enzyme levels (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT]) and oxidative stress markers, there are no studies on the comparison of these levels in wound patients with the activities of Raftlin, which is known to play a role in the vascular endothelial response. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of oxidative stress and antioxidant response between wound patients and a control group and to compare the levels of Raftlin between the two groups, which is a new biomarker in inflammatory diseases. Between January 2018 and September 2018, 30 healthy control patients and 30 patients with wounds were enrolled in the study as volunteers. Tissue samples were collected and were sent to the biochemistry laboratory to determine the levels of oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes, and Raftlin, which play an important role in wound healing. The following were evaluated: SOD and CAT levels (as a measure of antioxidant enzymes); malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (as a measure of free oxygen radicals); and Raftlin, which is a lipid raft protein used in determining the level of inflammatory and autoimmune response. The analyses determined a statistically significant correlation between MDA, SOD, CAT, and Raftlin values in wound patients (p<0.05). Raftlin was a considerable parameter in determining the prognostic process of wound healing. The levels of tissue Raftlin were significantly higher in wounded patients. A significant increase in MDA, SOD, and CAT activities of the wounded patients also suggested that the oxidant and antioxidant effect was balanced and that external antioxidant supplementation was not required.© 2019 Medicalhelplines.com Inc and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The wound healing process involves extensive oxidative stress to the system, which generally inhibits tissue remodeling. In the present study, an improvement in the quality of wound healing was attempted by slow delivery of antioxidants like curcumin from collagen, which also acts as a supportive matrix for the regenerative tissue. Curcumin incorporated collagen matrix (CICM) treated groups were compared with control and collagen treated rats. Biochemical parameters and histological analysis revealed that increased wound reduction, enhanced cell proliferation and efficient free radical scavenging in CICM group. The higher shrinkage temperature of CICM films suggests increased hydrothermal stability when compared to normal collagen films. Spectroscopic studies revealed that curcumin was bound to the collagen without affecting its triple helicity. Further we adopted the antioxidant assay using 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile to assess in vitro antioxidant activity of CICM. The antioxidant studies indicated that CICM quenches free radicals more efficiently. This study provides a rationale for the topical application of CICM as a feasible and productive approach to support dermal wound healing.