Electrospun nanofibrous membranes of recombinant human collagen type III promote cutaneous wound healing

Abstract

Cutaneous wound healing is a complex process that strives to re-establish the original structure and functions of the skin. With the development of electrospinning technology, nanofibrous membrane biomaterials have emerged as promising pro-regenerative strategies for recapitulating the structure and composition of the natural extracellular matrix (ECM). Herein, a nanofibrous membrane wound dressing material based on recombinant human collagen type III (rhCol III) crosslinked by EDC/NHS (rhCol III ^EN NF), which incorporated multiple Gly–Glu–Lys (GEK) and Gly–Leu–Ser–Gly–Glu–Arg (GLSGER) integrin receptors, has been developed utilizing green electrospinning technology. The rhCol III ^EN NF exhibited excellent flexibility, mechanical properties and water absorption. Amino acid analysis showed that rhCol III ^EN NF retained integrin receptor-associated amino acids to mediate cell activities and then expedite wound healing. Subsequent in vitro experiments confirmed that the rhCol III ^EN NF effectively promotes cell adhesion, proliferation and migration. On a mouse full-thickness wound model, rhCol III ^EN NF dressings expedited wound closure and greatly improved collagen deposition, recovering dermal and epidermal structures as well as skin appendages. Altogether, our research demonstrated that rhCol III ^EN NF prepared by electrospinning technology could efficiently heal wounds and regenerate skin.