Modulation of Macrophage Function by Bioactive Wound Dressings with an Emphasis on Extracellular Matrix-Based Scaffolds and Nanofibrous Composites

Abstract

Bioactive wound dressings that are capable of regulating the local wound microenvironment have attracted a very large interest in the field of regenerative medicine. Macrophages have many critical roles in normal wound healing, and the dysfunction of macrophages significantly contributes to impaired or non-healing skin wounds. Regulation of macrophage polarization towards an M2 phenotype provides a feasible strategy to enhance chronic wound healing, mainly by promoting the transition of chronic inflammation to the proliferation phase of wound healing, upregulating the level of anti-inflammatory cytokines around the wound area, and stimulating wound angiogenesis and re-epithelialization. Based on this, modulation of macrophage functions by the rational design of bioactive scaffolds has emerged as a promising way to accelerate delayed wound healing. This review outlines current strategies to regulate the response of macrophages using bioactive materials, with an emphasis on extracellular matrix-based scaffolds and nanofibrous composites.

Visualization of the relationship between macrophage and wound healing from the perspective of bibliometric analysis

“…Typically, to expedite wound healing especially chronic wounds, introducing a favourable environment involves the application of functional biomaterials that possess biocompatibility, low allergenicity, reduced immune responses, facilitating a conducive setting. 49 , 50 In this prospective, a wide variety of wound dressings, such as hydrogels, 51 microporous scaffolds, 52 films 53 and nanofibrous matrices 54 have been developed and even commercialized. Of them, hydrogel‐based systems have gained prominence in the field of wound dressing materials due to their advantageous properties, including exceptional absorbency, porous structure, tunable mechanical strength and biocompatibility.…”

A comprehensive exploration of hydrogel applications in multi-stage skin wound healing

“…161 The mixed hydrogels suppress the expression of VEGF during the later stages of wound healing, which prevents the creation of scars by lowering excessive neovascularization and ECM collagen deposition. 162 The hybrid hydrogel is a great option for clinical wound healing and scar prevention because of these attributes. 163…”

“…161 The mixed hydrogels sup- press the expression of VEGF during the later stages of wound healing, which prevents the creation of scars by lowering excessive neovascularization and ECM collagen deposition. 162 The hybrid hydrogel is a great option for clinical wound healing and scar prevention because of these attributes. 163 During wound healing, matching the rate of degradation of hydrogels with the rate of new tissue growth is critical, as it helps to provide continuous support and a suitable microenvironment that promotes cell proliferation and tissue regeneration, thereby preventing excessive scarring.…”

Modulation of macrophages by biophysical cues in health and beyond

“…The composition, size of particles, shape, charge, porosity, stiffness, structure, and morphology are all important considerations to maximize therapeutic efficacy of scaffolds or implants. How these biophysical properties influence macrophages for this have been outlined above and the reader is also referred to [ 77 ]. The biophysical properties of scaffolds are often combined with chemical modification to induce the greatest effects on healing, for example, modified traditional collagen membranes with epigallocatechin-3-gallate achieve better M2 phenotypic macrophage recruitment [ 78 ].…”