An Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Conjugated Bombyx mori Silk Fibroin Film for Diabetic Wound Healing: Fabrication, Physicochemical Property Characterization, and Dosage Optimization In Vitro and In Vivo

Silk Nonwoven Fabric-Based Dressing with Antibacterial and ROS-Scavenging Properties for Modulating Wound Microenvironment and Promoting Diabetic Wound Healing

The microenvironment of diabetic wounds is exceptionally complex, characterized notably by persistent bacterial infections and the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Traditional treatment methods often fall short of achieving ideal results. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop and implement more advanced and efficient treatment strategies to effectively address the complexity and recalcitrance of diabetic wounds. This study pioneers a novel approach by fabricating a silk fibroin-based nonwoven dressing (SF-Ag-HCA) under neutral conditions, integrating silver ions with dihydrocaffeic acid-modified silk fibroin. Uniquely, this dressing achieves dual functionality: exceptional antibacterial efficacy against common pathogens (E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa) and robust ROS-scavenging capabilities, effectively mitigating oxidative stress and promoting immune homeostasis. The SF-Ag-HCA dressing not only surpasses conventional materials in regulating the wound microenvironment but also accelerates re-epithelialization and collagen deposition. Animal studies further validate its superior performance in healing diabetic and infected wounds compared to commercial alternatives. This innovative dressing represents a significant advancement in wound care, offering an integrated, cost-effective solution tailored for complex chronic wound management.

Biomedical applications ofBombyx morisilk in skin regeneration and cutaneous wound healing

A mere glance at the foundation of the sericulture industry to produce silk and the consequent establishment of the Silk Road to transport it; elucidates the significant role that this material has played in human history. Owing to its exceptional robustness, silk was introduced into medicine as a surgical suture approximately two millennia ago. During the last decades, silk has garnered attention as a possible source of biological-based materials that can be effectively used in regenerative medicine. Silk's unique characteristics, like its low immunogenicity, suitable adhesive properties, exceptional tensile strength, perfect hemostatic properties, adequate permeability to oxygen and water, resistance to microbial colonization, and most importantly, excellent biodegradability; make it an outstanding choice for biomedical applications. Although there are many different types of silk in nature,Bombyx mori(B. mori) silk accounts for about 90% of global production and is the most thoroughly investigated and the most commonly used. Silk fibroin (SF) and silk sericin (SS) are the two main protein constituents of silk. SF has been manufactured in various morphologic forms (e.g. hydrogels, sponges, films, etc) and has been widely used in the biomedical field, especially as a scaffold in tissue engineering. Similarly, SS has demonstrated a vast potential as a suitable biomaterial in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Initial studies on SF and SS as wound dressings have shown encouraging results. This review aims to comprehensively discuss the potential role of silk proteins in refining wound healing and skin regeneration.

Natural Protein Films from Textile Waste for Wound Healing and Wound Dressing Applications

In recent years, several studies have focused on the development of sustainable, biocompatible, and biodegradable films with potential applications in wound healing and wound dressing systems. Natural macromolecules, particularly proteins, have emerged as attractive alternatives to synthetic polymers due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, low immunogenicity, and adaptability. Among these proteins, keratin, extracted from waste wool, and fibroin, derived from Bombyx mori cocoons, exhibit exceptional properties such as mechanical strength, cell adhesion capabilities, and suitability for various fabrication methods. These proteins can also be functionalized with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory compounds, making them highly versatile for biomedical applications. This review highlights the promising potential of keratin- and fibroin-based films as innovative platforms for wound healing, emphasizing their advantages and the prospects they offer in creating next-generation wound dressing devices.

Novel Factors Regulating Proliferation, Migration, and Differentiation of Fibroblasts, Keratinocytes, and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells during Wound Healing

Chronic diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a significant complication of diabetes mellitus, often leading to amputation, increased morbidity, and a substantial financial burden. Even with the advancements in the treatment of DFU, the risk of amputation still exists, and this occurs due to the presence of gangrene and osteomyelitis. Nonhealing in a chronic DFU is due to decreased angiogenesis, granulation tissue formation, and extracellular matrix remodeling in the presence of persistent inflammation. During wound healing, the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and keratinocytes play a critical role in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, angiogenesis, and epithelialization. The molecular factors regulating the migration, proliferation, and differentiation of these cells are scarcely discussed in the literature. The literature review identifies the key factors influencing the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), which are critical in wound healing. This is followed by a discussion on the various novel factors regulating the migration, proliferation, and differentiation of these cells but not in the context of wound healing; however, they may play a role. Using a network analysis, we examined the interactions between various factors, and the findings suggest that the novel factors identified may play a significant role in promoting angiogenesis, granulation tissue formation, and extracellular matrix remodeling during wound healing or DFU healing. However, these interactions warrant further investigation to establish their role alone or synergistically.

Development and characterization of colloidal pNIPAM-methylcellulose microgels with potential application for drug delivery in dentoalveolar tissue engineering strategies

Incorporation of growth factors, signaling molecules and drugs can be vital for the success of tissue engineering in complex structures such as the dentoalveolar region. This has led to the development of a variety of drug release systems. This study aimed to develop pNIPAM-methylcellulose microgels with different synthesis parameters based on a 23 full factorial design of experiments for this application. Microgel properties, including volume phase transition temperature (VPTT), hydrodynamic size, drug loading and release, and cytocompatibility were systematically evaluated. The results demonstrated successful copolymerization and development of the microgels, a hydrodynamic size ranging from ∼200 to ∼500 nm, and VPTT in the range of 34-39 °C. Furthermore, loading of genipin, capable of inducing odontoblastic differentiation, and its sustained release over a week was shown in all formulations. Together, this can serve as a solid basis for the development of tunable drug-delivering pNIPAM-methylcellulose microgels for specific tissue engineering applications.

Advances of regenerated and functionalized silk biomaterials and application in skin wound healing

The cocoon silk of silkworms (Bombyx mori) has multiple potential applications in biomedicine due to its good biocompatibility, mechanical properties, degradability, and plasticity. Numerous studies have confirmed that silk material dressings are more effective than traditional ones in the skin wound healing process. Silk material research has recently moved toward functionalized biomaterials and achieved remarkable results. Herein, we summarize the recent advances in functionalized silk materials and their efficacy in skin wound healing. In particular, transgenic technology has realized the specific expression of human growth factors in the silk glands of the silkworms, which lays the foundation for fabricating novel and low-cost functionalized materials. Without a green and safe preparation process, the best raw silk materials cannot be made into medically safe products. Therefore, we provide an overview of green and gentle approaches for silk degumming and silk sericin (SS) extraction. Moreover, we summarize and discuss the processing methods of silk fibroin (SF) and SS materials and their potential applications, such as burns, diabetic wounds, and other wounds. This review aims to enhance our understanding of new advances and directions in silk materials and guide future biomedical research.

Fabrication andin vitroevaluation of photo cross-linkable silk fibroin-epsilon-poly-L-lysine hydrogel for wound repair

An optimal wound-healing hydrogel requires effective antibacterial properties and a favorable cell adhesion and proliferation environment. AlthoughBombyx morisilk fibroin (SF) possesses inherent wound-healing properties, it lacks these essential qualities. This study aimed to fabricate a novel photo-polymerizable hydrogel by utilizing SF's wound-healing efficiency and the epsilon-poly-L-lysine (EPL) antimicrobial activity. The SF was modified with three different concentrations of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) to obtain SF-GMA(L), SF-GMA(M), and SF-GMA(H). A methacrylated EPL (EPL-GMA) was also produced. Then, SF-GMA was mixed with EPL-GMA to produce photo-crosslinkable SF-GMA-EPL hydrogels. The SF-GMA(L)-EPL, SF-GMA(M)-EPL, and SF-GMA(H)-EPL hydrogels, fabricated with 20% EPL-GMA, demonstrated maximum antimicrobial activity and mammalian cell adhesion ability. The hydroxyl radical (•OH) scavenging efficiency of the hydrogels was tested and shown to be between 69% and 74%. These hydrogels also exhibited 60% efficiency in removing bacterial lipopolysaccharides. The water absorption ability of the hydrogels was consistent with the size of their internal pores. The hydrogels exhibited a slow degradation fashion, and their degradation products appeared cytocompatible. Finally, the elastomeric properties of the hydrogels were determined, and a storage modulus (G') of 300-600 Pa was demonstrated. In conclusion, the hydrogels created in this study possess excellent biological and physical properties to support wound healing.

Construction of Smart Biomaterials for Promoting Diabetic Wound Healing

Diabetes mellitus is a complicated metabolic disease that has become one of the fastest-growing health crises in modern society. Diabetic patients may suffer from various complications, and diabetic foot is one of them. It can lead to increased rates of lower-extremity amputation and mortality, even seriously threatening the life and health of patients. Because its healing process is affected by various factors, its management and treatment are very challenging. To address these problems, smart biomaterials have been developed to expedite diabetic wound closure and improve treatment outcomes. This review begins with a discussion of the basic mechanisms of wound recovery and the limitations of current dressings used for diabetic wound healing. Then, the categories and characteristics of the smart biomaterial scaffolds, which can be utilized as a delivery system for drugs with anti-inflammatory activity, bioactive agency, and antibacterial nanoparticles for diabetic wound treatment were described. In addition, it can act as a responsive system to the stimulus of the pH, reactive oxygen species, and glucose concentration from the wound microenvironment. These results show that smart biomaterials have an enormous perspective for the treatment of diabetic wounds in all stages of healing. Finally, the advantages of the construction of smart biomaterials are summarized, and possible new strategies for the clinical management of diabetic wounds are proposed.