3D bioinspired self-healing asymmetric wound dressing loaded with MSCs for the full regeneration of skin

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Application of near-infrared light responsive biomaterials for improving the wound healing process: A review

Publication . Graça, Mariana F. P.; Moreira, André F.; Correia, I.J.

Despite aiming to improve the healing process, the wound dressings that have been developed thus far still present high production costs, uncontrolled drug delivery, and are unable to fully re-establish all features of native skin. In this field, the development of light-responsive dressings has been emerging due to the possibility of controlling the delivery of therapeutic agents both in time and space. Moreover, this strategy has also been explored to guide the materials’ polymerization/crosslinking, as well as to mediate therapeutic approaches based on photothermal or photodynamic effects. Among the different approaches, the utilization of near-infrared (NIR) light holds a high translational potential due to the minimal interactions with the biological components and higher penetration capacity in human tissues. In this way, different biomaterials responsive to NIR light have been produced and explored in the production of active wound dressings. Therefore, this review aims to provide an overview of the advantages of NIR light to the wound healing process, in particular, its thermal, photodynamic, photobiomodulation, and imaging potential. Furthermore, the antibacterial, drug-release, and cellular responses that can be obtained with the application of NIR-responsive wound dressings are also described focusing on its impact on the healing process.

2024-01-29Journal article

Open access

Reduced graphene oxide-enriched chitosan hydrogel/cellulose acetate-based nanofibers application in mild hyperthermia and skin regeneration

Publication . 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.

2022-12-29Journal article

Open access