RESUMO
While the continuous development of advanced bioprinting technologies is under fervent study, enhancing the regenerative potential of hydrogel-based constructs using external stimuli for wound dressing has yet to be tackled. Fibroblasts play a significant role in wound healing and tissue implants at different stages, including extracellular matrix production, collagen synthesis, and wound and tissue remodeling. This study explores the synergistic interplay between photothermal activity and nanomaterial-mediated cell proliferation. The use of different graphene-based materials (GBM) in the development of photoactive bioinks is investigated. In particular, we report the creation of a skin-inspired dressing for wound healing and regenerative medicine. Three distinct GBM, namely, graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and graphene platelets (GP), were rigorously characterized, and their photothermal capabilities were elucidated. Our investigations revealed that rGO exhibited the highest photothermal efficiency and antibacterial properties when irradiated, even at a concentration as low as 0.05 mg/mL, without compromising human fibroblast viability. Alginate-based bioinks alongside human fibroblasts were employed for the bioprinting with rGO. The scaffold did not affect the survival of fibroblasts for 3 days after bioprinting, as cell viability was not affected. Remarkably, the inclusion of rGO did not compromise the printability of the hydrogel, ensuring the successful fabrication of complex constructs. Furthermore, the presence of rGO in the final scaffold continued to provide the benefits of photothermal antimicrobial therapy without detrimentally affecting fibroblast growth. This outcome underscores the potential of rGO-enhanced hydrogels in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. Our findings hold promise for developing game-changer strategies in 4D bioprinting to create smart and functional tissue constructs with high fibroblast proliferation and promising therapeutic capabilities in drug delivery and bactericidal skin-inspired dressings.
RESUMO
In recent years, the rapid emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has become a significant concern in the healthcare field, and although bactericidal dressings loaded with various classes of antibiotics have been used in clinics, in addition to other anti-infective strategies, this alarming issue necessitates the development of innovative strategies to combat bacterial infections and promote wound healing. Electrospinning technology has gained significant attention as a versatile method for fabricating advanced wound dressings with enhanced functionalities. This work is based on the generation of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-based dressings through electrospinning, using a DomoBIO4A bioprinter, and incorporating graphene oxide (GO)/zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocomposites as a potent antibacterial agent. GO and ZnO nanoparticles offer unique properties, including broad-spectrum antibacterial activity for improved wound healing capabilities. The synthesis process was performed in an inexpensive one-pot reaction, and the nanocomposites were thoroughly characterized using XRD, TEM, EDX, SEM, EDS, and TGA. The antibacterial activity of the dispersions was demonstrated against E. coli and B. subtilis, Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, respectively, using the well diffusion method and the spread plate method. Bactericidal mats were synthesized in a rapid and cost-effective manner, and the fiber-based structure of the electrospun dressings was studied by SEM. Evaluations of their antibacterial efficacy against E. coli and B. subtilis were explored by the disk-diffusion method, revealing an outstanding antibacterial capacity, especially against the Gram-positive strain. Overall, the findings of this research contribute to the development of next-generation wound dressings that effectively combat bacterial infections and pave the way for advanced therapeutic interventions in the field of wound care.