New prospects in skin regeneration and repair using nanophased hydroxyapatite embedded in collagen nanofibers

• Published in: Nanomedicine 2021-04, Vol.33, p.102353-102353, Article 102353
• Main Authors: Ribeiro, Nilza, Sousa, Aureliana, Cunha-Reis, Cassilda, Oliveira, Ana Leite, Granja, Pedro L., Monteiro, Fernando J., Sousa, Susana R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Calcium ions; Cell Differentiation; Cell Proliferation; Collagen - chemistry; Collagen electrospinning; Composite biomaterial; Drug Carriers; Durapatite - chemistry; Durapatite - pharmacology; Extracellular Matrix; Fibroblasts; Humans; Hydroxyapatite electrospraying; Keratinocytes - metabolism; Mesenchymal Stem Cells - metabolism; Nanofibers - chemistry; Osteogenesis; Rats; Regeneration; Skin; Skin wound healing; Tissue Scaffolds - chemistry; Wound Healing
• ISSN: 1549-9634; 1549-9642
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2020.102353

This study reflects an exploitation of a composite matrix produced by electrospinning of collagen and electrospraying of nanophased hydroxyapatite (nanoHA), for skin regeneration applications. The main goal was to evaluate the effect of nanoHA, as source of localized calcium delivery, on human dermal fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) growth, proliferation, differentiation, and extracellular matrix production. This study revealed that calcium ions provided by nanoHA significantly enhanced cellular growth and proliferation rates and prevented adhesion of pathogenic bacteria strains typically found in human skin flora. Moreover, hMSCs were able to differentiate in both osteogenic and adipogenic lineages. Rat subcutaneous implantation of the membranes also revealed that no adverse reaction occurred. Therefore, the mechanically fit composite membrane presents a great potential to be used either as cell transplantation scaffold for skin wound regeneration or as wound dressing material in plastic surgery, burns treatment or skin diseases. A mechanically fit composite membrane as wound dressing material based on collagen nanofibers and nanophased hydroxyapatite was obtained by simultaneous use of electrospinning and electrospraying, respectively. The material presented an excellent rate of cell colonization, support hMSCs differentiation onto adipogenic lineage and bacteriostatic properties fundamental in preventing infections, highlighting the potential of the developed composite in a wide range of skin engineering applications. [Display omitted] •Calcium ions enhance growth and proliferation of skin differentiated cells and hMSCs.•Adipogenic differentiation of hMSCs over composite network rich in calcium.•Nanostructured composite prevents adhesion of typical human skin pathogenic bacteria.•Mechanically fit composite membrane as wound dressing material.