Electrospinning Equipment: Cellulose Nanofibers for Enhanced Wound Healing Applications

1.Introduction

Skin, the largest organ of the human body, serves multiple functions, including pathogen defense, environmental sensing, and temperature regulation. Composed of the epidermis and dermis, skin is highly elastic yet fragile, making it susceptible to injuries that disrupt its continuity, known as wounds. While human skin can self-repair, proper wound care is essential to prevent scarring, infection, and dehydration, as well as to relieve pain and accelerate healing. Wounds are classified as acute or chronic based on their healing duration and nature. Acute wounds typically heal within 8 to 12 weeks, whereas chronic wounds heal slowly or not at all. Factors influencing wound healing include local conditions such as cold and infection, and systemic factors like overall health status. The complex process of wound healing involves four interconnected stages: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Current wound treatment methods are diverse, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, negative-pressure therapy, cell-based therapy, and the application of biomaterials. Biomaterials, with their biocompatibility and lack of cytotoxicity, have been widely used in wound repair.

2.Abstract

This review provides an overview of the research progress on cellulose nanofibers in the field of wound healing. Cellulose nanofibers, with their excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and high specific surface area, hold great potential for the development of wound dressings. Their nanoscale structure can mimic the natural extracellular matrix, promoting cell adhesion and proliferation, and accelerating wound closure. By loading bioactive substances such as antibiotics and growth factors, cellulose nanofibers can achieve controlled drug release, enhance antibacterial properties, and reduce the risk of infection. Despite their promising prospects in clinical applications, challenges remain in scaling up production and ensuring biosafety. Future research needs to further optimize the preparation processes, improve fiber performance, and expand their applications in various types of wounds.

3. Research Content

(1)Characteristics of Cellulose Nanofibers

Cellulose is a linear, stereoregular, and insoluble polymer composed of D-glucopyranose units linked by 1,4-β-glycosidic bonds. It forms a complex, multilevel supramolecular structure that can self-assemble into nanofibers, mimicking the fibrous architecture of the natural extracellular matrix. Cellulose nanofibers exhibit high specific surface area, excellent mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, making them suitable for wound dressing development. With diameters typically ranging from 5 to 60 nm, these nanofibers are hydrophilic due to the presence of hydroxyl groups (-OH) and can be sourced from abundant materials such as wood, cotton, and bacterial cellulose. Their non-animal origin also ensures low immunogenicity in humans.

(2)Preparation Methods of Cellulose Nanofibers

The preparation of cellulose nanofibers can be categorized into top-down and bottom-up approaches.

Top-Down Approach: This involves mechanically grinding or chemically/enzymatically hydrolyzing cellulose into nanofibers. For example, high-pressure homogenization can break down cellulose into nanoscale fibers. Electrospinning is a key technique for producing cellulose nanofibers, allowing precise control over fiber diameter and morphology through parameters such as solution flow rate, voltage, and needle-to-collector distance. An electrospinning machine, a complete package of engineered setups, is essential for fabricating quality nanofibers.

Bottom-Up Approach: This method constructs nanofibers from molecular building blocks through polymerization or self-assembly. For instance, cellulose molecules can self-assemble into nanofibers via hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces. Template synthesis is another bottom-up method that uses hard or soft templates to control the shape and size of nanofibers. An electrospinning device can also be used in this approach to enhance the precision and uniformity of nanofiber production.

(3)Applications of Cellulose Nanofibers in Wound Healing

The applications of cellulose nanofibers in wound healing are multifaceted:

• Mimicking the Extracellular Matrix: Cellulose nanofibers can replicate the structure of the natural extracellular matrix, providing a scaffold for cell adhesion and proliferation, thereby accelerating wound closure. Studies have shown that these nanofibers significantly enhance cell adhesion and proliferation, leading to faster wound healing.

• Drug Delivery: Cellulose nanofibers can carry bioactive substances such as antibiotics and growth factors, enabling controlled release and targeted delivery, which improves wound healing outcomes. For example, antibiotic-loaded cellulose nanofibers can effectively inhibit bacterial growth and reduce the risk of infection.

• Antibacterial Properties: By incorporating antibacterial agents or modifications, cellulose nanofibers can exhibit strong antibacterial activity, reducing the risk of wound infections. For instance, silver nanoparticle-loaded cellulose nanofibers have demonstrated excellent antibacterial efficacy against drug-resistant strains.

• Tissue Engineering: Cellulose nanofibers can be used to construct tissue-engineered skin substitutes for repairing extensive skin defects. These scaffolds support cell growth and differentiation, promoting tissue regeneration.

(4)Clinical Application Prospects

Cellulose nanofiber-based dressings show great promise in clinical applications, with demonstrated abilities to accelerate wound healing, reduce scarring, and exhibit excellent biocompatibility and antibacterial properties. Their biodegradability also eliminates the need for secondary surgical removal after wound healing. However, challenges remain in scaling up production and ensuring biosafety. Future research should focus on optimizing the preparation processes to enhance fiber performance and exploring broader applications in various wound types.

4.Conclusion

Cellulose nanofibers, with their excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and drug delivery capabilities, are highly valuable in the field of wound healing. Their ability to mimic the natural extracellular matrix provides an optimal environment for cell growth and wound repair. Although diverse preparation methods are available, challenges in scaling up production and ensuring biosafety persist. Future research should aim to further optimize the preparation processes, enhance fiber performance, and expand their applications in different types of wounds.

Electrospinning Nanofibers Article Source:

https://doi.org/10.1021/acspolymersau.4c00092