Hydrogel Scaffolds to Deliver Cell Therapies for Wound Healing

Cutaneous wounds are a growing global health burden as a result of an aging population coupled with increasing incidence of diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Cell-based approaches have been used to treat wounds due to their secretory, immunomodulatory, and regenerative effects, and recent studies have highlighted that delivery of stem cells may provide the most benefits. Delivering these cells to wounds with direct injection has been associated with low viability, transient retention, and overall poor efficacy. The use of bioactive scaffolds provides a promising method to improve cell therapy delivery. Specifically, hydrogels provide a physiologic microenvironment for transplanted cells, including mechanical support and protection from native immune cells, and cell–hydrogel interactions may be tailored based on specific tissue properties. In this review, we describe the current and future directions of various cell therapies and usage of hydrogels to deliver these cells for wound healing applications.

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Antler Stem Cells Sustain Regenerative Wound Healing in Deer and in Rats

Journal of Regenerative Biology and Medicine ◽

10.37191/mapsci-2582-385x-2(1)-016 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Chunyi Li

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Wound Healing ◽

Direct Injection ◽

Embryonic Stem ◽

Marker Genes ◽

Cutaneous Wounds ◽

Cell Lineages ◽

Multiple Cell ◽

Transplantation Experiments

Deer antlers are unique mammalian appendages in that they can fully regenerate following lossfrom their pedicles (permanent bony protuberances). Antler regeneration starts from regenerative wound healing on top of a pedicle stump. A combination of tissue deletion and transplantation experiments showed that this type of regenerative healing is not skin-specific, but is bestowed by the pedicle periosteum (PP). PP cells express marker genes of both mesenchymal and embryonic stem cells, and can be induced to differentiate into multiple cell lineages in vitro. Therefore, PP cells are termed antler stem cells (AnSCs). Treatment of rats withfull-thickness cutaneous wounds (2 × 2 cm) through either direct injection of AnSCsinto the rats or topical application of conditioned medium of AnSCs on to the wounds can effectively induce regenerative wound healing. We believe our study has laid the foundations for developing an effective clinical therapy to achieve scar-less wound healing.

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Tissue Engineered Skin and Wound Healing: Current Strategies and Future Directions

Current Pharmaceutical Design ◽

10.2174/1381612823666170526094606 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 23 (24) ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Nandana Bhardwaj ◽

Dimple Chouhan ◽

Biman B. Mandal

Keyword(s):

Wound Healing ◽

Future Directions

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Superabsorbent poly(acrylic acid) and antioxidant poly(ester amide) hybrid hydrogel for enhanced wound healing

Regenerative Biomaterials ◽

10.1093/rb/rbaa059 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Jianhua Zhang ◽

Junfei Hu ◽

Baoshu Chen ◽

Tianbao Zhao ◽

Zhipeng Gu

Keyword(s):

Wound Healing ◽

Acrylic Acid ◽

Protein Denaturation ◽

Healing Process ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Skin Damage ◽

Hybrid Hydrogel ◽

Hydrogel Scaffolds ◽

Hybrid Hydrogels ◽

Poly Acrylic Acid

Abstract Wound healing dressing is increasingly needed in clinical owing to the large quantity of skin damage annually. Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced through internal or external environmental influences can lead to lipid peroxidation, protein denaturation, and even DNA damage, and ultimately have harmful effects on cells. Aiming to sufficiently contact with the wound microenvironment and scavenge ROS, superabsorbent poly (acrylic acid) and antioxidant poly (ester amide) (PAA/PEA) hybrid hydrogel has been developed to enhance wound healing. The physical and chemical properties of hybrid hydrogels were studied by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) absorption spectrum, compression, swelling, degradation, etc. Besides, the antioxidant properties of hybrid hydrogels can be investigated through the free radical scavenging experiment, and corresponding antioxidant indicators have been tested at the cellular level. Hybrid hydrogel scaffolds supported the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and fibroblasts, as well as accelerated angiogenesis and skin regeneration in wounds. The healing properties of wounds in vivo were further assessed on mouse skin wounds. Results showed that PAA/PEA hybrid hydrogel scaffolds significantly accelerated the wound healing process through enhancing granulation formation and re-epithelialization. In summary, these superabsorbent and antioxidative hybrid hydrogels could be served as an excellent wound dressing for full-thickness wound healing.

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Recent perspectives of nanotechnology in burn wounds management: a review

Journal of Wound Care ◽

10.12968/jowc.2021.30.5.350 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (5) ◽

pp. 350-370

Author(s):

Ruan Na ◽

Tian Wei

Keyword(s):

Wound Healing ◽

Wound Closure ◽

Healing Process ◽

Skin Barrier ◽

Active Role ◽

Qualitative Studies ◽

Future Directions ◽

Burn Wounds ◽

The Us ◽

Efficacious Drug

Objective: The burden of the management of problematic skin wounds characterised by a compromised skin barrier is growing rapidly. Almost six million patients are affected in the US alone, with an estimated market of $25 billion annually. There is an urgent requirement for efficient mechanism-based treatments and more efficacious drug delivery systems. Novel strategies are needed for faster healing by reducing infection, moisturising the wound, stimulating the healing mechanisms, speeding up wound closure and reducing scar formation. Methods: A systematic review of qualitative studies was conducted on the recent perspectives of nanotechnology in burn wounds management. Pubmed, Scopus, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsychINFO databases were all systematically searched. Authors independently rated the reporting of the qualitative studies included. A comprehensive literature search was conducted covering various resources up to 2018–2019. Traditional techniques aim to simply cover the wound without playing any active role in wound healing. However, nanotechnology-based solutions are being used to create multipurpose biomaterials, not only for regeneration and repair, but also for on-demand delivery of specific molecules. The chronic nature and associated complications of nonhealing wounds have led to the emergence of nanotechnology-based therapies that aim at facilitating the healing process and ultimately repairing the injured tissue. Conclusion: Nanotechnology-based therapy is in the forefront of next-generation therapy that is able to advance wound healing of hard-to-heal wounds. In this review, we will highlight the developed nanotechnology-based therapeutic agents and assess the viability and efficacy of each treatment. Herein we will explore the unmet needs and future directions of current technologies, while discussing promising strategies that can advance the wound-healing field

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Applying biophysical models to understand the role of white matter in cognitive development

10.1101/347872 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Elizabeth Huber ◽

Rafael Neto Henriques ◽

Julia P. Owen ◽

Ariel Rokem ◽

Jason D. Yeatman

Keyword(s):

White Matter ◽

Cognitive Development ◽

Diffusion Mri ◽

Reading Skill ◽

Great Promise ◽

Model Parameters ◽

Biophysical Modeling ◽

Tissue Properties ◽

Biophysical Models ◽

Specific Tissue

AbstractDiffusion MRI (dMRI) holds great promise for illuminating the biological changes that underpin cognitive development. The diffusion of water molecules probes the cellular structure of brain tissue, and biophysical modeling of the diffusion signal can be used to make inferences about specific tissue properties that vary over development or predict cognitive performance. However, applying these models to study development requires that the parameters can be reliably estimated given the constraints of data collection with children. Here we collect repeated scans using a multi-shell diffusion MRI protocol in a group of children (ages 7-12) and use two popular biophysical models to characterize axonal properties. We first assess the scan-rescan reliability of model parameters and show that axon water faction can be reliably estimated from a relatively fast acquisition, without applying spatial smoothing or de-noising. We then investigate developmental changes in the white matter, and individual differences in white matter that correlate with reading skill. Specifically, we test the hypothesis that previously reported correlations between reading skill and diffusion anisotropy in the corpus callosum reflect increased axon density in poor readers. Both models support this interpretation, highlighting the utility of biophysical models for testing specific hypotheses about cognitive development.

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Bioengineering Approaches to Accelerate Clinical Translation of Stem Cell Therapies Treating Osteochondral Diseases

Stem Cells International ◽

10.1155/2020/8874742 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Meng Wang ◽

Yixuan Luo ◽

Yin Yu ◽

Fei Chen

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Recent Progress ◽

Osteochondral Defect ◽

Cell Phenotype ◽

Stem Cell Therapies ◽

Future Directions ◽

Cell Therapies ◽

Osteochondral Repair ◽

Therapeutic Properties

The osteochondral tissue is an interface between articular cartilage and bone. The diverse composition, mechanical properties, and cell phenotype in these two tissues pose a big challenge for the reconstruction of the defected interface. Due to the availability and inherent regenerative therapeutic properties, stem cells provide tremendous promise to repair osteochondral defect. This review is aimed at highlighting recent progress in utilizing bioengineering approaches to improve stem cell therapies for osteochondral diseases, which include microgel encapsulation, adhesive bioinks, and bioprinting to control the administration and distribution. We will also explore utilizing synthetic biology tools to control the differentiation fate and deliver therapeutic biomolecules to modulate the immune response. Finally, future directions and opportunities in the development of more potent and predictable stem cell therapies for osteochondral repair are discussed.

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Plasma-polymerized pericyte patches improve healing of murine wounds through increased angiogenesis and reduced inflammation

Regenerative Biomaterials ◽

10.1093/rb/rbab024 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Hannah M Thomas ◽

Parinaz Ahangar ◽

Robert Fitridge ◽

Giles T S Kirby ◽

Stuart J Mills ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wound Healing ◽

Cell Therapy ◽

Plasma Polymerization ◽

Wound Repair ◽

Direct Injection ◽

Neutrophil Infiltration ◽

Intradermal Injection ◽

A Cell ◽

Treatment Of Wounds ◽

Vegf Signalling

Abstract Pericytes have the potential to be developed as a cell therapy for the treatment of wounds; however, the efficacy of any cell therapy relies on the successful delivery of intact and functioning cells. Here, the effect of delivering pericytes on wound repair was assessed alongside the development of a surface-functionalized pericyte patch. Plasma polymerization (PP) was used to functionalize the surface of silicone patches with heptylamine (HA) or acrylic acid (AA) monomers. Human pericytes were subsequently delivered to murine excisional wounds by intradermal injection or using the pericyte-laden patches and the comparative effects on wound healing, inflammation and revascularization determined. The AA surface provided the superior transfer of the cells to de-epidermized dermis. Excisional murine wounds treated either with pericytes injected directly into the wound or with the pericyte-laden AA patches showed improved healing with decreased neutrophil infiltration and reduced numbers of macrophages in the wounds. Pericyte delivery also enhanced angiogenesis through a mechanism independent of VEGF signalling. Pericytes, when delivered to wounds, improved healing responses by dampening inflammation and promoting angiogenesis. Delivery of pericytes using PP-AA-functionalized patches was equally as effective as direct injection of pericytes into wounds. Pericyte-functionalized dressings may therefore be a clinically relevant approach for the treatment of wounds.

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Discussion: Open Surgical Revascularization for Wound Healing: Past Performance and Future Directions; and Discussion: Critical Evaluation of Endovascular Surgery for Limb Salvage

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery ◽

10.1097/prs.0b013e318203a684 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 127 ◽

pp. 174S-176S ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michael S. Conte

Keyword(s):

Wound Healing ◽

Limb Salvage ◽

Critical Evaluation ◽

Endovascular Surgery ◽

Surgical Revascularization ◽

Past Performance ◽

Future Directions

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Acceleration of the healing process of full-thickness wounds using hydrophilic chitosan–silica hybrid sponge in a porcine model

Journal of Biomaterials Applications ◽

10.1177/0885328217751246 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 32 (8) ◽

pp. 1011-1023 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Ji-Ung Park ◽

Seol-Ha Jeong ◽

Eun-Ho Song ◽

Juha Song ◽

Hyoun-Ee Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wound Healing ◽

Surface Characterization ◽

Porcine Model ◽

Healing Process ◽

Synergetic Effect ◽

Wound Healing Process ◽

Cutaneous Wounds ◽

Chemical Coupling

In this study, we evaluated the surface characterization of a novel chitosan–silica hybridized membrane and highlighted the substantial role of silica in the wound environment. The chemical coupling of chitosan and silica resulted in a more condensed network compared with pure chitosan, which was eventually able to stably maintain its framework, particularly in the wet state. In addition, we closely observed the wound-healing process along with the surface interaction between chitosan–silica and the wound site using large-surface-area wounds in a porcine model. Our evidence indicates that chitosan–silica exerts a synergetic effect of both materials to promote a remarkable wound-healing process. In particular, the silica in chitosan–silica accelerated wound closure including wound contraction, and re-epithelialization via enhancement of cell recruitment, epidermal maturity, neovascularization, and granulation tissue formation compared with pure chitosan and other commercial dressing materials. This advanced wound dressing material may lead to effective treatment for problematic cutaneous wounds and can be further applied for human skin regeneration.

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