Issue 20, 2022

A hybrid hydrogel composed of chitin and β-glucan for the effective management of wound healing and scarring

Abstract

Non-functional scars commonly form after cutaneous injuries. At present, most clinical treatments for scar eradication typically have long treatment courses, low curative effects, and are expensive. In this research, three hydrogels, namely chitin hydrogel, β-glucan hydrogel, and hybrid hydrogel composed of chitin and β-glucan, were successfully prepared, and they exhibited good shear thinning property and bioadhesiveness. In a full-thickness skin defect mouse model, the three hydrogels were found to effectively promote wound closure and inhibit scar formation. Through the immunohistochemistry staining and immunofluorescence staining of the wound tissues, the hydrogels could significantly promote the formation of collagen III, the regeneration of hair follicles, and the expression of keratin K14 and K15. They could also regulate the production of VEGF and immune factors such as IL-10 and IL-12, and inhibit the expression of the fibroblast regulatory factor En-1 in the wound site, which correlated well with their improved wound healing promoting effect and anti-scarring effect. Among all the hydrogels, the hybrid hydrogel was the best to promote wound healing and inhibit scarring. This study, for the first time, proved the excellent therapeutic effect of chitin and β-glucan hydrogels in the management of wound healing and skin regeneration without scar formation, which will lay a solid foundation for the development of skin regeneration medication and future clinical transformation.

Graphical abstract: A hybrid hydrogel composed of chitin and β-glucan for the effective management of wound healing and scarring

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
15 Jun 2022
Accepted
12 Aug 2022
First published
16 Aug 2022

Biomater. Sci., 2022,10, 6024-6036

A hybrid hydrogel composed of chitin and β-glucan for the effective management of wound healing and scarring

X. Kang, J. Lei, C. Yang, P. Zhang, X. Li, S. Zheng, Q. Li and J. Zhang, Biomater. Sci., 2022, 10, 6024 DOI: 10.1039/D2BM00935H

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