Surfaces to enhance matrix deposition for wound healing.

Introduction: The next generation of wound dressings will actively participate in the wound healing process, helping the body to heal itself. For deep and/or chronic wounds a dermal scaffold is often required prior to the application of a skin graft or other therapy that encourages re-epithelialisation and the restoration of the barrier function. The aim of this study was to determine if electrospinning and plasma polymerisation could be used to generate a scaffold that would support fibroblast growth and extracellular deposition. Methods: A totally synthetic electrospun dermal replacement was produced coated with an allylamine plasma polymer and its impact upon cellular processes assessed in vitro. Results: The scaffold encouraged increased adhesion and rapid migration of human dermal fibroblasts into the scaffold. Fibroblasts rapidly proliferated to populate the scaffold and deposited significantly more collagen I on scaffolds coated with the allylamine plasma polymer than the uncoated poly(lactic acid) scaffold or scaffolds coated with other plasma polymers (acrylic acid or 1,7' octadiene). Conclusions: Electrospinning and plasma polymerisation are both versatile and widely used techniques that are also suitable for large-scale manufacture of scaffolds. These properties increase the potential of the scaffold to include its use as a cell delivery device for the delivery of fibroblasts, including their associated extracellular matrix and mitogens to chronic wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]