A new wound dressing material that mimics a human scab reduces the risk of infection and speeds the healing process, according to recent study results.
Inspired by the anisotropic protein nanofibers found in a scab, the researchers fabricated a polyurethane nanofibrous membrane with a similiar structure.
The membrane showed good affinity for wound-healing-related cells and could guide cell migration in the direction of polyurethane nanofibers, study results showed. Researchers also found that the morphology and distribution of F-actin and paxillin of attached cells were influenced by the underlying fibers.
“This scab-inspired cytophilic membrane is promising in applications as functional interfacial biomaterials for rapid wound healing, bone repair and construction of neural networks,” the researchers concluded.
For more information:
Xi Y. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2013;doi: 10.1021/am4004683.
Disclosure: The researchers received funding from the National Research Fund for Fundamental Key Projects, the National Natural Science Foundation, the Key Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation.
