(WHS-P14) Using Bioactive Hydrogel Dressing to Prevent Post-Burn Scarring
Friday, May 17, 2024
7:30 AM – 5:00 PM East Coast USA Time
Recent advances in 3D bioprinting have led to the development of innovative solutions for wound healing. Among various advanced dressings, hydrogel materials have gained significant attention for burn wound treatment in clinical practice. Advances in acute burn wound care have significantly decreased mortality rate in patients with severe burns. However, up to 70% of burn victims develop post-burn hypertrophic scars. In this study, 3D-printed dressings were fabricated with an extrusion-based bioprinter using bioinks consisting of gelatin, alginate, and bioactive borate glass (BBG). After ionic crosslinking, the 3D-printed bioactive hydrogel dressings were characterized and exhibited Young's modulus in the range of normal skin, with 10-day stability in phosphate buffer saline. The hydration activity of bioactive hydrogel dressings were measured and compared to the FDA-approved commercial products. Over the course of 10 days, the bioactive hydrogels dressings steadily released 74% of their entrapped water, while the commercial products released their entire water content within 24 hours. The preclinical safety and efficacy of the dressings were investigated using a porcine model with a second-degree burn wound for 70 days. Our findings showed that the 3D-printed dressings with BBG exhibited faster wound closure with minimal scarring. Histological analysis suggested that 3D-printed dressings with BBG developed more uniform re-epithelialization and tissue remodeling compared to the FDA-approved commercial products. Our immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that BBG improved early angiogenesis and maturation of blood vessel in later stages of wound healing, which is associated with the therapeutic ions released from BBG particulates. After 70 days, the deposition of collagen fibers was measured at 95 ± 16 µm and 278 ± 74 µm with 21% and 10% basket-weave patterns, in the bioactive hydrogel dressing and commercial product, respectively. Finer collagen fibers, 27% decrease in ki67 and 36% increase in regeneration of hair follicles confirmed the enhanced scar preventing outcomes in bioactive hydrogel dressing compared to the commercial product. This can be attributed to the bioactive formulation and the 3D-printed porous surface, which promote a moist wound healing environment, thereby allowing for normal wound remodeling. Findings from this research provide valuable knowledge that advances bioprinting techniques in wound healing applications, specifically in the development of bioactive formulations for scarless wound healing.