Keratin Biomaterials in Skin Wound Healing, an Old Player in Modern Medicine: A Mini Review

Abstract

Impaired wound healing is a major medical problem. To solve it, researchers around the world have turned their attention to the use of tissue-engineered products to aid in skin regeneration in case of acute and chronic wounds. One of the primary goals of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine is to develop a matrix or scaffold system that mimics the structure and function of native tissue. Keratin biomaterials derived from wool, hair, and bristle have been the subjects of active research in the context of tissue regeneration for over a decade. Keratin derivatives, which can be either soluble or insoluble, are utilized as wound dressings since keratins are dynamically up-regulated and needed in skin wound healing. Tissue biocompatibility, biodegradability, mechanical durability, and natural abundance are only a few of the keratin biomaterials’ properties, making them excellent wound dressing materials to treat acute and chronic wounds. Several experimental and pre-clinical studies described the beneficial effects of the keratin-based wound dressing in faster wound healing. This review focuses exclusively on the biomedical application of a different type of keratin biomaterials as a wound dressing in pre-clinical and clinical conditions.

Bioactive Low Molecular Weight Keratin Hydrolysates for Improving Skin Wound Healing

“…Keratin extracted from sheep wool or human hair showed a high potential for wound healing biomaterials design [ 37 , 38 , 39 ], but the methods for keratin solubilization are very sophisticated and the mechanisms of cellular response are not completely understood [ 26 ]. The present research proposes the keratin hydrolysates with low molecular weights as wound healing additive, prepared by complete solubilization of sheep wool and by enzymatic refinery of molecular weight with still preserved secondary structure and showing bioactivity in integrin signaling, cell cycle modulation and vascular-cell-adhesion molecules inhibition.…”

A review of current advancements for wound healing: Biomaterial applications and medical devices

“…These properties make it possible to produce various wound dressings, such as films, hydrogels and scaffolds, to facilitate the chronic wound healing process. 37 Keratin and HA-based PCL/PEO fibers can be produced via emulsion and coaxial electrospinning techniques. The results showed that the incorporation of natural polymers promote cell viability and has the potential for wound dressing applications.…”

“…Keratin materials have been widely applied in tissue regeneration ascribed to their biocompatibility, biodegradability and structural support. These properties make it possible to produce various wound dressings, such as films, hydrogels and scaffolds, to facilitate the chronic wound healing process 37 …”

Modern Dressings in Prevention and Therapy of Acute and Chronic Radiation Dermatitis—A Literature Review

“…Other studies also describe the various hydrogels integrated with biopolymers that may accelerate healing of post-radiation wounds [64][65][66][67][68]. Several biodressing groups were studied and widely described in the literature [61,[69][70][71][72]. However, this group is rarely investigated in patients who undergo radiotherapy.…”