Enhanced wound healing using a 3D printed VEGF-mimicking peptide incorporated hydrogel patch in a pig model

Abstract

There is a need for effective wound healing through rapid wound closure, reduction of scar formation, and acceleration of angiogenesis. Hydrogel is widely used in tissue engineering, but it is not an ideal solution because of its low vascularization capability and poor mechanical properties. In this study, gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) was tested as a viable option with tunable physical properties. GelMA hydrogel incorporating a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mimicking peptide was successfully printed using a three-dimensional (3D) bio-printer owing to the shear-thinning properties of hydrogel inks. The 3D structure of the hydrogel patch had high porosity and water absorption properties. Furthermore, the bioactive characterization was confirmed by cell culture with mouse fibroblasts cell lines (NIH 3T3) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. VEGF peptide, which is slowly released from hydrogel patches, can promote cell viability, proliferation, and tubular structure formation. In addition, a pig skin wound model was used to evaluate the wound-healing efficacy of GelMA-VEGF hydrogel patches; the results suggest that the GelMA-VEGF hydrogel patch can be used for wound dressing.

Chitosan/Sodium Alginate/Velvet Antler Blood Peptides Hydrogel Promoted Wound Healing by Regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR and SIRT1/NF-κB Pathways

“…Moreover, the CD68 protein corresponds to M1 macrophages and can reflect the degree of inflammation at the wound ( Yang et al, 2022 ). VEGF-mimicking peptide/gelatin methacrylate hydrogel has been proven to accelerate the healing of pig skin wounds by up-regulating CD31 and α-SMA proteins ( Jang et al, 2021 ). Combined with the results of the H and E staining and Masson staining, CAVBPH treatment stimulated angiogenesis (capillaries and CD31 + ), cell proliferation (PCNA + ), and collagen secretion (collagen fibers and α-SMA + ) while relieving inflammation (CD68 − ), thus showing a macroscopic feature of promoting wound healing ( Figure 4 ; Figure 5 ).…”

“…At present, hydrogels have gradually become a novel option for wound dressings due to their desirable biochemical properties and skin-mimicking structure ( Ghanbari et al, 2021 ). Jiang et al found that VEGF mimicking peptide/gelatin methacrylate hydrogel with high porosity and water absorption could promote the proliferation of NIH3T3 cells and accelerate the healing of pig skin wounds by inducing CD31, α-SMA, Collagen I, and Collagen III expressions ( Jang et al, 2021 ). Cheng et al fabricated a K 2 (SL) 6 K 2 -bovine serum albumin hydrogel with sulfhydryl and silver ions as cross-linking agents, and demonstrated its role in promoting collagen deposition and angiogenesis in the early stages of wound healing ( Cheng et al, 2020 ).…”

Gelatin Methacrylate Hydrogel for Tissue Engineering Applications—A Review on Material Modifications

“…After 7 days of incubation of HUVECs on QK-GelMA, dense microvascular networks with interconnections could be seen through immunostaining and confocal microscopy. Similar to the full-length VEGF, the QK peptide was also loaded to GelMA without covalent bonding by Jang et al [26], and the result demonstrated that HUVECs formed the tubular structure in the QKtrapped GelMA. Furthermore, this 3D-printed QK-GelMA could accelerate wound healing in porcine models.…”

Advanced Bio-Based Polymers for Astrocyte Cell Models

“…A variety of techniques have been used to create three-dimensional biomimetic scaffolds. In vitro studies have shown promising results with regeneration and repair [33,34]. Biomaterials have numerous functions, not only therapeutic, such as induction of axonal regeneration, neuroprotection, modulation of inflammation, and local release of therapeutics at the site of injury [35,36].…”