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Applicaton of a Novel Crosslinked Glycosaminoglycan Hydrogel Scaffold Improves Healing in a Rabbit Ear Ulcer Model
Author(s) -
Brown R.J.,
Rosenberg D.S.,
Lu L.,
Segura T.,
Houchin T.,
Shea L.D.,
Mustoe T.A.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
wound repair and regeneration
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.847
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1524-475X
pISSN - 1067-1927
DOI - 10.1111/j.1067-1927.2005.130216t.x
Subject(s) - wound healing , granulation tissue , hyaluronic acid , glycosaminoglycan , dermis , chemistry , in vivo , scaffold , self healing hydrogels , extracellular matrix , biomedical engineering , medicine , surgery , pathology , anatomy , biochemistry , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , organic chemistry
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a major glycosaminoglycan component of normal dermis and a major component of the matrix synthesized during wound healing. Previous studies have shown that uncrosslinked HA is rapidly degraded and cleared in vivo, limiting its clinical utility. We have used a novel HA hydrogel scaffold that is crosslinked for prolonged bioavailability. It has a porous interior and a smooth surface. This scaffold can also be fabricated with collagen and linked to proteins or DNA to direct cell growth and differentiation. We hypothesized that this novel HA formulation might itself improve wound healing by enhancing cell migration. Purpose: The present study explored the effects of a crosslinked HA hydrogel on wound healing. Methods: Using an established model of wound healing, four 7 mm punch wounds were made on each ear of New Zealand rabbits. Each wound was immediately treated with topical application of one of the following: HA hydrogel (n = 26), HA/collagen hydrogel (n = 27), or phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS)(n = 16). Wounds were harvested on day 8 for histologic evaluation. Sections were examined for epithelial and granulation tissue ingrowth into wounds. Results: HA‐ and HA/collagen‐treated wounds showed statistically significant increases in epithelial (p = 0.003 and p = 0.007, respectively) and granulation tissue ingrowth (p = 0.004 and p = 0.01, respectively) when compared to PBS‐treated controls. Conclusions: In the rabbit ear ulcer model, the application of crosslinked HA and HA/collagen hydrogels accelerated wound healing as measured by epithelial and granulation tissue ingrowth. Funding Source: NIH grant: 5R01GM063825–03