Copyright © 2022 Foshan MBRT Nanofiberlabs Technology Co., Ltd All rights reserved.Site Map
Wound healing is a complex multi-stage process involving inflammation, cell proliferation, and tissue remodeling. In the field of biomedical engineering, optimizing this process is crucial for enhancing recovery after surgical interventions or injuries. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), including molecules such as hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anions, and hydroxyl radicals, play significant roles in various cellular functions. However, an excess of ROS can lead to oxidative stress, compromising cell integrity and delaying the healing process. For example, severe burns may trigger an overproduction of ROS, exacerbating cellular damage and slowing down recovery. To address this, the scientific community has been developing innovative ROS-neutralizing scaffolds with electrospinning device. These engineered structures can effectively attract and neutralize excessive ROS, thereby suppressing oxidative stress and accelerating the healing process. In recent years, electrospun nanofibers have been at the forefront of scaffold innovation. The electrospinning technique uses an electric field to spin ultrafine fibers from a polymer solution. These fibers possess optimal properties for medical applications. Their high specific surface area significantly improves the ability to interact with and neutralize ROS, while their porosity facilitates the exchange of gases and nutrients necessary for tissue regeneration. Additionally, the surface properties of these nanofibers can be adjusted as needed to enhance interactions with specific biological entities or cells. Incorporating antioxidants such as vitamins C and E into these fibers can enhance their ROS-neutralizing capacity, thus promoting wound healing and reducing oxidative stress. Therefore, the development of ROS-scavenging scaffolds, especially those derived from electrospun nanofibers, marks a significant breakthrough in wound healing research. The combination of materials science and biomedical engineering holds great promise for substantially improving patient outcomes.
This review focuses on the application of electrospun nanofibers produced by electrospinning machine as reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging scaffolds in accelerating wound healing. ROS have a dual role in cellular functions. Appropriate levels of ROS are essential for intracellular communication, but excessive ROS can trigger oxidative stress, delaying wound healing. The electrospinning technique uses an electric field to spin polymer solutions into nanofibers with a high specific surface area and notable porosity, endowing them with great potential in the medical field, especially in wound repair. These nanofibers not only promote blood clotting, exhibit antibacterial properties, reduce inflammation, but also facilitate cell proliferation and angiogenesis, which are integral components of the wound healing process. The article also explores the mechanism of action of electrospun nanofibers in wound healing, the challenges they face, and their future development directions, highlighting their importance in biomedical engineering.
3.1 Characteristics and Preparation Methods of Electrospun Nanofibers
High Specific Surface Area and Porosity: Electrospun nanofibers can effectively interact with the environment due to their high specific surface area and remarkable porosity. This is crucial for applications requiring high sensitivity or reactivity. Their porous structure makes them excellent in filtration tasks and also helps mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM), promoting cell growth and tissue formation in the biomedical field, especially in tissue engineering.
Preparation Methods: These include direct electrospinning, coaxial electrospinning, post-loading techniques, emulsion electrospinning, side-by-side electrospinning, and multi-layer electrospinning. Each method has its unique advantages and application scenarios. For example, coaxial electrospinning can protect sensitive bioactive agents, the post-loading technique can add additional functional components to pre-formed nanofibers, and multi-layer electrospinning can construct structures with multiple biological, physical, or chemical properties, expanding their potential applications.
ROS Scavenging Mechanisms: Electrospun nanofibers mitigate oxidative damage by directly neutralizing ROS or catalyzing their degradation into less harmful products. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, catalase mimetics, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) can be incorporated into the nanofibers to decompose ROS. Additionally, cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeNPs) show significant potential due to their ability to undergo reversible redox reactions, enabling them to decompose hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anions.
Optimization of Electrospinning Parameters: To produce nanofibers with desirable characteristics, multiple parameters in the electrospinning process need to be optimized, including solution parameters (such as polymer concentration, viscosity, and solvent selection), process parameters (such as applied voltage, solution flow rate, and the distance between the needle and the collector), and environmental parameters (such as humidity and temperature). These parameters directly affect the diameter, porosity, and surface properties of the nanofibers, and thus influence their functions in biomedical applications.
Application Case Studies: The article presents several application cases of electrospun nanofibers in wound healing. For instance, the polyvinyl alcohol-chitosan (PVA/CS) nanofiber membrane dressing combines ROS-scavenging and antibacterial properties and shows good healing effects on diabetic wounds.
There is also an electrospun nanofiber dressing integrated with metal nanoparticles. This membrane is constructed by electrospinning and consists of photocrosslinked methacrylic gelatin (GelMA) doped with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and iridium nanoparticles coated with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP-Ir NPs) . The design of this membrane provides biomimetic properties and functions, such as high water content, self-degradability, oriented cell growth, and improved cell proliferation and migration. It performs excellently in antibacterial and ROS-scavenging aspects.
Stability and Effectiveness: Electrospun nanofibers need to maintain long-term stability and effectiveness in practical applications, especially in the treatment of chronic wounds. This requires optimizing materials and processes to extend the lifespan of nanofibers and ensure the continuous release of therapeutic agents during the healing process.
Biocompatibility and Safety: The biocompatibility and safety of nanofibers are crucial for their clinical applications. It is necessary to rigorously test the biocompatibility of nanofibers to ensure that they do not trigger harmful immune responses or toxicity.
Future Perspectives: Future research will focus on developing novel materials to enhance the ROS-scavenging ability of nanofibers and exploring their long-term effects and integrated applications in wound care. In addition, clinical trials are needed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of these scaffolds in practical medical scenarios.
Electrospun nanofibers prepared using electrospinning equipment have great potential as ROS-scavenging scaffolds in wound healing. Their high specific surface area, porosity, and adjustable surface properties enable them to effectively neutralize ROS and promote cell proliferation and tissue regeneration. By optimizing electrospinning parameters and material characteristics, the stability and functionality of nanofibers can be further improved, making them more advantageous in the treatment of chronic wounds. Future research should focus on the long-term effects of nanofibers, their biocompatibility, and integration with existing wound care methods to achieve their widespread application in clinical practice.
Electrospinning Nanofibers Article Source:
https://doi.org/10.1080/00914037.2024.2429576
