(WHS-P85) APPLICATION OF HYDROGEL CELLULOSE NANOFIBER-BASED COMBINATION SCAFFOLDS IN CUTANEOUS WOUND HEALING
Friday, May 17, 2024
7:30 AM – 5:00 PM East Coast USA Time
Background: Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) are a fibrous form of elongated nanocellulose that has been the focus of widespread interest for wound healing and tissue engineering. CNF is non-immunogenic and biocompatible due in part to its propensity for low protein absorption. Thus, CNF with its high specific surface area and aqueous gelation properties is a biologically compliant scaffold for potential wound healing applications. We hypothesized that CNF/human- derived hydrogels could maintain structural, healing, and antibacterial properties to promote healing in minor to severely damaged skin e.g. primary wound healing treatment in burn injuries and chronic wounds. The purpose of the study was to develop proof of principle evidence demonstrating the feasibility of cotton and wood-derived CNF scaffolds/human-derived hydrogel combinations (NHC) for cutaneous wound healing applications.
Methods: The study involved the biophysical characterization, biocompatibility, and wound healing capacity of four mass ratio combinations for each of three forms of CNF. For characterization, rheology studies, evaluation of gelation time, protein release studies, proteomics, and microstructure analysis were performed with SEM . The biocompatibility of the nanocellulose/hydrogel combinations was assessed with the proliferative and adipogenic differentiation capacity of human adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) and/or human dermal fibroblast cells (DFCs). Finally, wound healing studies were performed using ASCs and DFCs.
Results: CNFs provide support to human-derived material hydrogels. Rheology results demonstrated that nanocellulose responds similarly in combination with human-derived hydrogels. The nanomaterials increase viscosity and hydrogel stiffness in combination with human derived hydrogels. Biocompatibility, promotion of dermal fibroblasts proliferation and ASCs differentiation were assessed. ASCs cultured on a mixture of nanocellulose/hydrogel combinations exhibited increased metabolic activity from days 1-7 and intracellular lipid deposition after adipogenic differentiation. Notably, up to twenty five percent by mass of nanocellulose in the NHCs provides hydrogel support and porosity for cell proliferation. A comparison of three forms of CNF revealed a difference in in vitro wound healing profiles with one form of CNF providing notably enhanced proliferative profiles in the presence of NHC over controls. Proteomics revealed the presence of plant-derived protein, suggesting oversight guidance and activity profiles for CNF preparation.
Conclusions: Hydrogel/cotton and wound-based nanocellulose combination scaffolds display a unique biophysical and biochemical profile that supports human ASC and DFC proliferation, differentiation, and wound healing capacity.