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- Reduced graphene oxide-enriched chitosan hydrogel/cellulose acetate-based nanofibers application in mild hyperthermia and skin regenerationPublication . Graça, Mariana F. P.; Melo, Bruna L.; Sousa, Rita Lima; Ferreira, Paula; Moreira, André; Correia, I.J.Asymmetric wound dressings have captured researchers' attention due to their ability to reproduce the structural and functional properties of the skin layers. Furthermore, recent studies also report the benefits of using near infrared (NIR) radiation-activated photothermal therapies in treating infections and chronic wounds. Herein, a chitosan (CS) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) hydrogel (CS_rGO) was combined with a polycaprolactone (PCL) and cellulose acetate (CA) electrospun membrane (PCL_CA) to create a new NIR-responsive asymmetric wound dressing. The rGO incorporation in the hydrogel increased the NIR absorption capacity and allowed a mild hyperthermy effect, a temperature increase of 12.4 ◦C when irradiated with a NIR laser. Moreover, the PCL_CA membrane presented a low porosity and hydrophobic nature, whereas the CS_rGO hydrogel showed the ability to provide a moist environment, prevent exudate accumulation and allow gaseous exchanges. Furthermore, the in vitro data demonstrate the capacity of the asymmetric structure to act as a barrier against bacteria penetration as well as mediating a NIR-triggered antibacterial effect. Additionally, human fibroblasts were able to adhere and proliferate in the CS_rGO hydrogel, even under NIR laser irradiation, presenting cellular viabilities superior to 90 %. Altogether, our data support the application of the NIR-responsive asymmetric wound dressings for skin regeneration.
- Electrospun Asymmetric Membranes as Promising Wound Dressings: A ReviewPublication . Graça, Mariana F. P.; Diogo, Duarte de Melo; Correia, I.J.; Moreira, AndréDespite all the efforts that have been done up to now, the currently available wound dressings are still unable to fully re-establish all the structural and functional properties of the native skin. To overcome this situation, researchers from the tissue engineering area have been developing new wound dressings (hydrogels, films, sponges, membranes) aiming to mimic all the features of native skin. Among them, asymmetric membranes emerged as a promising solution since they reproduce both epidermal and dermal skin layers. Wet or dry/wet phase inversion, scCO2-assisted phase inversion, and electrospinning have been the most used techniques to produce such a type of membranes. Among them, the electrospinning technique, due to its versatility, allows the development of multifunctional dressings, using natural and/or synthetic polymers, which resemble the extracellular matrix of native skin as well as address the specific requirements of each skin layer. Moreover, various therapeutic or antimicrobial agents have been loaded within nanofibers to further improve the wound healing performance of these membranes. This review article provides an overview of the application of asymmetric electrospun membranes as wound dressings displaying antibacterial activity and as delivery systems of biomolecules that act as wound healing enhancers.