Electrospun Fiber Membranes Modified with Heparin and Parathyroid Hormone Derivative To Promote Diabetic Wound Healing

Abstract

The repair of diabetic wounds is a global challenge due to elevated levels of blood sugar and microvascular disorders. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and its derivatives show great potential for wound healing, but corresponding delivery strategies are still limited. Herein, a novel electrospun fiber membrane whose surface is modified with heparin is fabricated to deliver a PTH derivative named parathyroid hormone related peptide-1 (PTHrP-1) for the healing of diabetic wounds. Cell viability, proliferation, migration, and proangiogenic activity are first evaluated in vitro, and then a rat diabetic skin defect model is used to observe the in vivo effects on wound healing. Results of in vitro and in vivo studies confirm that electrospun fiber membrane modified with heparin and PTHrP-1 promotes the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells and fibroblasts, and facilitates diabetic wound healing through angiogenesis, collagen deposition, and re-epithelialization. In conclusion, electrospun fiber membrane modified with heparin shows great promise in delivering PTHrP-1 and promoting diabetic wound healing.

Keywords: angiogenesis; diabetic wound; electrospinning; electrospun fiber membrane; parathyroid hormone derivative.