In Situ Tissue Engineering Using Angiogenic Nanoscaffold Enhances Diabetic Wound Healing in db/db Mouse Model

Tissue engineering offers an attractive alternative for treatment of chronic nonhealing diabetic ulcers, which account for more than 27% of the $10.9 billion total diabetic health care costs in the US annually [1]. The harsh environment of a diabetic ulcer is characterized by reduced expression of angiogenic factors, insufficient vascularization, excess protease activity, matrix degradation and hyperglycemia-induced cell apoptosis [2]. A major factor contributing to insufficient neovascularization in diabetic nonhealing wounds may be deficiency in the recruitment of endothelial cells (ECs) and endothelial precursor cells (EPCs) to the wound site [3]. Recent studies focusing on altering the wound’s cellular and molecular environment using bone-marrow-derived stem cells, growth factors (delivered either directly or using gene or cell therapy), bioengineered skin constructs, and biological matrices, such as collagen and hyaluronic acid gels had promising wound healing outcomes [4]. These studies suggest that strategies aimed at modifying the extracellular environment of the diabetic wound to enhance cell survival and angiogenesis are promising for development of new therapies for diabetic wound healing.