Injectable Photocuring Silk Fibroin-Based Hydrogel Constructs Antioxidant Microenvironment for Skin Repair
January 2023
injectable hydrogel SF-g-SDA methacrylated dopamine methacrylated silk fibroin antioxidant skin protein microenvironment tensile properties adhesion properties biodegradability cytocompatibility cell adhesion vascularization oxidative stress collagen deposition neovascularization hair follicle formation Tegaderm
TLDR The hydrogel helps skin heal faster and better than a commercial dressing by creating a protective environment and supporting new blood vessel and hair growth.
The study developed an injectable hydrogel, SF-g-SDA, by incorporating methacrylated dopamine into methacrylated silk fibroin molecule chains. This hydrogel has photocuring properties and can construct an antioxidant skin protein microenvironment. It showed good tensile and adhesion properties, stable mechanical properties, good biodegradability, and cytocompatibility. It also promoted cell adhesion and vascularization in vitro. The hydrogel's antioxidant properties protected cells from oxidative stress damage and supported normal cellular activities. In animal experiments, SF-g-SDA outperformed commercial Tegaderm™ in skin repair, accelerating wound healing, improving collagen deposition and alignment in newborn tissues, and promoting neovascularization and hair follicle formation. These results suggest that SF-g-SDA hydrogel is a promising wound dressing.
