Multifunctional Biomaterial Matrix for Advanced Wound Healing

Thiol-ene Michael-type formation of gelatin/poly(ethylene glycol) biomatrices for three-dimensional mesenchymal stromal/stem cell administration to cutaneous wounds

“…Favorable re-epithelialization and wound closure at 7 days that were similarly observed for the gelatin/poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel treatment and the MSC-gelatin/poly(ethylene glycol) biomatrix could be due to the material characteristics of the occlusive dressing for full thickness wounds which include: conformation to complex wound geometries, barrier function to provide mechanical protection and prevent bacterial infection, minimized fluid or heat loss, exudate absorbance, compression application to limit edema and dead wound space, non-adherence to wound tissues to reduce skin disruption after hydrogel removal, and a moist environment that enhances re-epithelialization as previously investigated [12], [13], and [14]. Topographical cues and MMP-susceptible moieties provided by the porous network of the three-dimensional gelatin/poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel may have also facilitated a contact guidance effect that accelerated fibroblast infiltration into the wound defect from adjacent dermal tissues [50] and [51].…”

“…Photo-polymerized semi-interpenetrating hydrogel networks composed of gelatin and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) diacrylate (PEGdA) were developed as provisional dressings that prevented infection, maintained wound hydration, and accelerated re-epithelialization [12], [13], and [14]. Subsequent formulations involved conjugation of L-cysteine to gelatin for thiol-ene polymerization to form interpenetrating networks that retained gelatin within crosslinked matrices [15].…”