Applications of molybdenum oxide nanoparticles impregnated collagen scaffolds in wound therapeutics.

INTRODUCTION: The highly complex pathophysiology of the wound micro-environment demands the development of a multi-faceted system which would enhance the wound healing cascade. Incorporation of nanotechnology in wound therapeutics has opened up new avenues to tourment the diseased condition. Amongst the various types of nanoparticles molybdenum oxide nanoparticles posses various inherent properties that makes it a versatile material to be used in healing. Incorporation of Molybdenum nanoparticles into collagen scaffolds would provide a synergistic and sequential healing process ensuring the formation of a fully functional tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The physico-chemical characterization of the synthesized materials were done using SEM and FT-IR techniques. The bicompatibility and cell proliferation were tested using HaCaT cell lines. Pro-angiogenic ability of the scaffold was tested using CAM assay and Chick aortic arch assay. Finally the in-vivo wound healing ability of the material was tested by creating wound of about 6 cm2 on the dorsal side of Wistar rats and observed for about 21 days. RESULTS: The characterization of the scaffold revealed the presence MoO3 nanoparticles and their structural integrity within the scaffold. The synthesized MoO3-collagen nanocomposite was found to be biocompatible and hemocompatible. The in-vitro studies demonstrated that the MoO3-collagen scaffold significantly increased the cell adhesion and migration to nearly 2 fold. The MoO3 embedded collagen sheets synergistically favoured neovascularization and re-epithelization,which would potentially enhance therapeutic efficiency of the scaffold. The nanocomposite also encouraged results in in-vivo analysis, the Wistar rats treated with MoO3-collagen scaffolds showed complete healing in about 15 days. CONCLUSION: The fabricated MoO3-collagen scaffold was found to play an important role in all major events of wound healing such as adhesion, migration, proliferation and angiogenesis. The in-vivo healing assay also proved that the healing rate of animals treated with the samples was comparatively faster. Further research using various trace elements would open up promising avenues in healing therapeutics.

Decorin mediated biomimetic PCL-gelatin nano-framework to impede scarring.

Scars occur as a result of fibrosis after tissue damage or surgery and reports suggest that excessive Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) activity during the process of wound healing leads to progressive fibrosis. Decorin is an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein which regulates collagen fibrillogenesis. However, targeted delivery and effective protein therapy remains a challenge owing to degradation byproteases. Hence, we aimed to deliver Decorin in a sustainable mode for the reduction of TGF-ß levels and subsequent scar formation. Herein, we have fabricated PCL-Gelatin bio-mimetic scaffolds to optimize the bio-activity and provide localized delivery of recombinant Decorin. The degradation and drug release patterns reveals that this biomaterial is biodegradable and offers sustained release of the recombinant Decorin. Decorin loaded nanofiber displayed lower adhesion and proliferation rates in in-vitro conditions. Moreover, Decorin loaded scaffolds demonstrated morphological changes in cells, specifically targeting the myofibroblast. The expression of TGF-ß was also scrutinized to understand the effect of Decorin loaded nanofibers. Besides, in the in-vitro fibrotic model, Decorin loaded nanofibers efficiently reduced the expression of ECM related proteins. Therefore, we report the sustained delivery of the recombinant Decorin from nanofiber dressing to potentially obstruct scar formation during the process of wound healing.