Two-layered electrospun nanofibrous mat loaded chitosan nanoparticles, growth factors and hair follicle bulge stem cells can promote wound healing in rat.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Wound healing remains a demanding medical problem despite significant advances in regenerative medicine. Mesenchymal, hair follicle and pluripotent stem cells are candidate populations for therapeutically relevant applications. Hair follicle bulge stem cells with scaffolds and growth factors can promote the healing of wounds.

METHODS

This study explores a dual-layer electrospun nanofibrous wound dressing composed of PCL/SSD and PCL/COLL, enhanced with chitosan nanoparticles loaded with EGF and bFGF growth factors. Hair follicle bulge stem cells were seeded onto the scaffold and transplanted into rat skin wounds.

RESULTS

FE‑SEM confirmed that the chitosan microspheres were uniformly spherical, ranging from nanoscale to ~1 µm. Thermal analysis showed a 28% weight loss up to 250°C and major degradation between 230°C and 450°C, indicating good thermal stability. About 50% of the encapsulated EGF and bFGF (6.5 ng from 2 mg microspheres) was released within 24 h, followed by sustained release. Biological assays demonstrated strong cell attachment, enhanced collagen deposition, and rapid tissue remodeling, with complete skin regeneration achieved by day 14.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that a two-layered electrospun nanofibrous mat incorporating chitosan nanoparticles, growth factors, and hair follicle bulge stem cells significantly enhances wound healing in a rat model.