1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D

AIM: The aim of this study was to develop a nanofiber-based dressing capable of local sustained delivery of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)) and augmenting human CAMP induction. MATERIALS & METHODS: Nanofibrous wound dressings containing 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) were successfully prepared by electrospinning, which were examined in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo. RESULTS: 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) was successfully loaded into nanofibers with encapsulation efficiency larger than 90%. 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) showed a sustained release from nanofibers over 4 weeks. Treatment of U937 and HaCaT cells with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-loaded poly(ϵ-caprolactone) nanofibers significantly induced hCAP18/LL37 expression in monocytes and keratinocytes, skin wounds of humanized transgenic mice and artificial wounds of human skin explants. CONCLUSION: 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) containing nanofibrous dressings could enhance innate immunity by inducing antimicrobial peptide production.