Successive Release of Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinase-1 Through Graphene Oxide-Based Delivery System Can Promote Skin Regeneration

In the 2017 study by Zhong et al., graphene oxide (GO) was explored as a carrier for the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) to aid in skin regeneration. The study demonstrated that GO could effectively bind TIMP-1 and release it over an extended period of at least 40 days. Cell viability assays with rat fibroblasts indicated that the TIMP-1-GO complex was biocompatible, showing no significant impact on cell proliferation or viability compared to control groups. In vivo experiments using a rat skin wound model revealed that treatment with TIMP-1-GO significantly enhanced skin regeneration, including the regeneration of hair follicles. Histological analyses confirmed the presence of continuous collagen fibers and increased vascularization in the TIMP-1-GO treated groups. The study concluded that GO is a suitable material for the sustained delivery of TIMP-1, promoting revascularization and collagen regeneration in skin wounds, which could potentially reduce the dosage of TIMP-1 needed and allow for targeted delivery to the affected skin areas.