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3D-Printed Gelatin Methacrylate Scaffolds with Controlled Architecture and Stiffness Modulate the Fibroblast Phenotype towards Dermal Regeneration.
- Source :
-
Polymers (20734360) . Aug2021, Vol. 13 Issue 15, p2510-2510. 1p. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Impaired skin wound healing due to severe injury often leads to dysfunctional scar tissue formation as a result of excessive and persistent myofibroblast activation, characterised by the increased expression of α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Yet, despite extensive research on impaired wound healing and the advancement in tissue-engineered skin substitutes, scar formation remains a significant clinical challenge. This study aimed to first investigate the effect of methacrylate gelatin (GelMA) biomaterial stiffness on human dermal fibroblast behaviour in order to then design a range of 3D-printed GelMA scaffolds with tuneable structural and mechanical properties and understand whether the introduction of pores and porosity would support fibroblast activity, while inhibiting myofibroblast-related gene and protein expression. Results demonstrated that increasing GelMA stiffness promotes myofibroblast activation through increased fibrosis-related gene and protein expression. However, the introduction of a porous architecture by 3D printing facilitated healthy fibroblast activity, while inhibiting myofibroblast activation. A significant reduction was observed in the gene and protein production of αSMA and the expression of ECM-related proteins, including fibronectin I and collagen III, across the range of porous 3D-printed GelMA scaffolds. These results show that the 3D-printed GelMA scaffolds have the potential to improve dermal skin healing, whilst inhibiting fibrosis and scar formation, therefore potentially offering a new treatment for skin repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20734360
- Volume :
- 13
- Issue :
- 15
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Polymers (20734360)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 151784959
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13152510