Characterization of Dual-Layer Hybrid Biomatrix for Future Use in Cutaneous Wound Healing

Abstract

A skin wound without immediate treatment could delay wound healing and may lead to death after severe infection (sepsis). Any interruption or inappropriate normal wound healing, mainly in these wounds, commonly resulted in prolonged and excessive skin contraction. Contraction is a common mechanism in wound healing phases and contributes 40-80% of the original wound size post-healing. Even though it is essential to accelerate wound healing, it also simultaneously limits movement, mainly in the joint area. In the worst-case scenario, prolonged contraction could lead to disfigurement and loss of tissue function. This study aimed to fabricate and characterise the elastin-fortified gelatin/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film layered on top of a collagen sponge as a bilayer hybrid biomatrix. Briefly, the combination of halal-based gelatin (4% (w/v)) and PVA ((4% (w/v)) was used to fabricate composite film, followed by the integration of poultry elastin (0.25 mg/mL) and 0.1% (w/v) genipin crosslinking. Furthermore, further analysis was conducted on the composite bilayer biomatrix's physicochemical and mechanical strength. The bilayer biomatrix demonstrated a slow biodegradation rate (0.374967 ± 0.031 mg/h), adequate water absorption (1078.734 ± 42.33%), reasonable water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) (724.6467 ± 70.69 g/m² h) and porous (102.5944 ± 28.21%). The bilayer biomatrix also exhibited an excellent crosslinking degree and was mechanically robust. Besides, the elastin releasing study presented an acceptable rate post-integration with hybrid biomatrix. Therefore, the ready-to-use bilayer biomatrix will benefit therapeutic effects as an alternative treatment for future diabetic skin wound management.

Keywords: PVA; bilayer scaffold; collagen; elastin; gelatin; wound healing.

Figure 1

Application of bilayer biomatrix on a skin wound.

Figure 2

Workflow of fabrication of the bilayer biomatrix.

Figure 3

Gross appearance of the scaffolds from each group. (A) NCL Sponge, (B) CL Sponge, (C) hybrid film and (D) CL/CL bilayer. The scale indicates 0.5 cm.

Figure 4

Physicochemical analysis of the scaffolds. (a.) % of swelling ratio, (b.) rate of biodegradation, (c.) concentration of amine group and (d.) water vapour transmission rate. * indicates that p < 0.0001.

Figure 5

The characterization of the scaffold. (a.) Compression, (b.) resilience, (c.) contact angle and (d.) porosity. * indicates that p < 0.0001.

Figure 6

(a.) The pore sizes of the scaffold, (b.) the SEM images of the scaffold where (A) and (a) is NCL Sponge, (B) and (b) is CL Sponge, (C) and (c) is Hybrid Film and (D) and (d) is CL/CL Bilayer (A–D: 500× magnification, C: 2000× magnification, a–d: 50× magnification) and the chemical characteristics of the scaffold: (c.) EDX results, (d.) FTIR results and (e.) XRD results.

Figure 7

(a.) The HDF cells interaction towards elastin (cell viability %), provided with (b.) the images of HDF at different concentrations of elastin (100 μm) and (c.) the concentration of elastin being released. * indicates that p < 0.0001.