Healing and Angiogenic Properties of Collagen/Chitosan Scaffolds Enriched with Hyperstable FGF2-STAB(R) Protein: In Vitro, Ex Ovo and In Vivo Comprehensive Evaluation
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2021 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | BIOMEDICINES |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/9/6/590 |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines9060590 |
| Keywords | collagen; chitosan; scaffold; FGF2; skin regeneration; tissue engineering |
| Description | Wound healing is a process regulated by a complex interaction of multiple growth factors including fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). Although FGF2 appears in several tissue engineered studies, its applications are limited due to its low stability both in vitro and in vivo. Here, this shortcoming is overcome by a unique nine-point mutant of the low molecular weight isoform FGF2 retaining full biological activity even after twenty days at 37 degrees C. Crosslinked freeze-dried 3D porous collagen/chitosan scaffolds enriched with this hyper stable recombinant human protein named FGF2-STAB(R) were tested for in vitro biocompatibility and cytotoxicity using murine 3T3-A31 fibroblasts, for angiogenic potential using an ex ovo chick chorioallantoic membrane assay and for wound healing in vivo with 3-month old white New Zealand rabbits. Metabolic activity assays indicated the positive effect of FGF2-STAB(R) already at very low concentrations (0.01 mu g/mL). The angiogenic properties examined ex ovo showed enhanced vascularization of the tested scaffolds. Histological evaluation and gene expression analysis by RT-qPCR proved newly formed granulation tissue at the place of a previous skin defect without significant inflammation infiltration in vivo. This work highlights the safety and biocompatibility of newly developed crosslinked collagen/chitosan scaffolds involving FGF2-STAB(R) protein. Moreover, these sponges could be used as scaffolds for growing cells for dermis replacement, where neovascularization is a crucial parameter for successful skin regeneration. |