Poster O10 - Tailored Injectable Granular Porous Nanofibrous Microspheres for Effective Wound Tissue Regeneration

Introduction: A significant number of Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) patients require amputations, which both degrades their quality of life and decreases their life expectancy. Offering minimally invasive therapies to treat DFU presents a promising approach. Hence, this study introduces a facile method for fabricating injectable nanofibrous microspheres (NMs) with predetermined shapes, size, and porosities to treat DFU. Herein, we explored the potential of open porous NMs for diabetic wound healing in in vitro and in vivo and they act as a modular scaffold for DFUs.

Materials and

Methods: A combination of electrospinning and electrospraying techniques were utilized for the fabrication of PLGA:gelatin NMs (Nonporous and porous) and fabricated NMs characterized for their morphological analysis using a scanning electron microscope. Further, in vitro cell culture studies were performed using human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) to determine their biocompatibility and cell migration. A dynamic injection experiment was conducted on NMs to check the effect of pressure and friction on cell survival. TALLYHO type 2 diabetic mice were utilized for in vivo experiments to evaluate NMs characteristics.

Results, Conclusions, and Discussions: A combination of electrospinning and electrospraying techniques were utilized for the fabrication of PLGA:gelatin NMs (Nonporous and porous) and fabricated NMs characterized for their morphological analysis using a scanning electron microscope. Further, in vitro cell culture studies were performed using human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) to determine their biocompatibility and cell migration. A dynamic injection experiment was conducted on NMs to check the effect of pressure and friction on cell survival. TALLYHO type 2 diabetic mice were utilized for in vivo experiments to evaluate NMs characteristics.
Overall, this study successfully showcased the dual functionality of porous NMs as injectable NMs and 3D interconnected porous scaffolds for efficient wound tissue regeneration. Porous NMs have been proven to promote high cell adhesion and proliferation in vitro, also safeguard adhered cells from injection-induced damage and serve as an effective vehicle for therapeutic delivery. In vivo application led to increased cell penetration, migration, and survival within the interconnected micropores of P-NMs, facilitating collagen production and neovascularization, thereby accelerating the healing of diabetic wounds. This innovative approach has the potential not only in chronic wound care but also in treating a broader spectrum of diseases, with the added capability of loading peptides onto NMs for directed cell maturation.

Acknowledgements (Optional): This work was supported by grants from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) at the National Institutes of Health (R01DK134903).