Injectable, self-healing and pH responsive stem cell factor loaded collagen hydrogel as a dynamic bioadhesive dressing for diabetic wound repair
Li Zhang, Yuting Zhou, Dandan Su, Shangyan Wu, Juan Zhou, Jinghua Chen
Abstract
As one of the serious complications of diabetes, diabetic ulcers induce several clinical problems. Although a variety of wound dressings are commonly employed, their role is too simple to integrate wound adaptation, therapeutics and effectiveness. To meet this comprehensive need, an injectable hydrogel (Col/APG) consisting of collagen and polyethylene glycol was prepared and loaded with umbilical cord stem cell factor (SCF) for the treatment of diabetic wounds. The physico-chemical properties of the Col/APG hydrogel, including rheology, self-shaping and self-healing, were demonstrated to adapt to the wound. After loading with the SCF, the adhesion strength of the resulting Col/APG + SCF hydrogel was enhanced to 17 kPa and it also showed favorable biocompatibility. A rapid cellular response, sufficient collagen deposition and marked neovascularization were observed in the whole cortex defect model of a diabetic rat after the Col/APG + SCF hydrogel was applied. Additionally, the skew toward M2 macrophages, credited with providing the anti-inflammatory function, also existed in both hydrogel groups. These findings suggested that the Col/APG hydrogel is a desirable scaffold and the Col/APG hydrogel loaded stem cell factor as a dressing is a promising treatment for diabetic tissue regeneration.