Electrospun soy protein scaffolds as wound dressings: Enhanced reepithelialization in a porcine model of wound healing

Yah el Har-el, Jonathan A. Gerstenhaber, Ross Brodsky, Richard B. Huneke, Peter I. Lelkes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

65 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this study we describe the use of an electrospun soy protein-based tissue scaffold (SPS) as a bioactive wound dressing in a pig model of full thickness excisional wound healing. The time course of wound healing and the quality of the healing tissue were evaluated using histology (H&E and Masson's trichrome staining). While the overall rate of wound closure was similar in the SPS-treated vs. untreated control wounds covered with Tegaderm®, there were significant qualitative differences between the two groups. Two weeks after a single application of SPS at the time of wounding, the SPS treated wounds showed robust signs of reepithelialization, which was absent in the control wounds. After 4 weeks, the SPS treated wounds contained a stratified epithelial layer in the epidermis that looked essentially normal, while the connective tissue in the dermis was attaining a cellular, organized appearance. By contrast the nascent epidermis of the untreated controls appeared immature, while the dermis was still replete with numerous inflammatory/immune cells. Masson's trichrome staining confirmed the increased presence of collagen in the dermis of the SPS treated wounds at 4 weeks, while the control wounds were largely devoid of collagen. Finally, in addition to enhanced reepithelialization and dermal tissue regeneration, 4 weeks after application of the SPS dressing, we observed the presence of dermal appendages, such as sweat glands and hair follicles. No such appendage formation was observed in the untreated controls during the entire duration of our study. Taken together, the histological data clearly indicate that our soy protein based scaffolds accelerated and enhanced a more natural mode of tissue regeneration in the porcine model of full thickness excisional wound healing. Given the similarities between porcine and human wound healing, we anticipate that SPS will also be advantageous in clinical applications.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)9-15
Number of pages7
JournalWound Medicine
Volume5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Electrospinning
  • Porcine animal model
  • Reepithelialization
  • Scaffold
  • Soy protein
  • Wound healing

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