Electrospun Photocrosslinkable Hydrogel Fibrous Scaffolds for Rapid In Vivo Vascularized Skin Flap Regeneration

Xiaoming Sun, Qi Lang, Hongbo Zhang, Liying Cheng, Ying Zhang, Guoqing Pan, Xin Zhao, Huilin Yang, Yuguang Zhang, H�lder A. Santos, Wenguo Cui

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

185 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

� 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim Distal necrosis of random skin flap is always clinical problematic in plastic surgery. The development of 3D functional vascular networks is fundamental for the survival of a local random skin flap. Herein, an effective technique on constructing 3D fibrous scaffolds for accelerated vascularization is demonstrated using a photocrosslinkable natural hydrogel based on gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) by electrospinning. It is found that the ultraviolet (UV) photocrosslinkable gelatin electrospun hydrogel fibrous membranes exhibit soft adjustable mechanical properties and controllable degradation properties. Furthermore, it is observed that the optimized hydrogel scaffolds can support endothelial cells and dermal fibroblasts adhesion, proliferation, and migration into the scaffolds, which facilitates vascularization. Importantly, a rapid formation of tubes is observed after 3 d seeding of endothelial cells. After GelMA fibrous scaffold implantation below the skin flap in a rat model, it is found that the flap survival rate is higher than the control group, and there is more microvascular formation, which is potentially beneficial for the flap tissue vascularization. These data suggest that GelMA hydrogels can be used for biomedical applications that require the formation of microvascular networks, including the development of complex engineered tissues.
Original languageEnglish
Article number1604617
JournalAdvanced Functional Materials
Volume27
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Jan 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • gelatin methacryloyl
  • photocrosslinkable hydrogels
  • random skin flap
  • soft elasticity
  • vascularization

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Biomaterials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Electrochemistry

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