Efficacy of mechanically modified electrospun poly(l-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone)/gelatin membrane on full-thickness wound healing in rats

Bioengineered skin substitute offers new opportunities for treating various skin ailments. To compensate the structural integrity problems of scaffolds prepared from natural components, we mechanically developed highly modified electrospun nanofibrous membranes, incorporating poly(l-lactide-co-e-caprolactone) (PLCL) into gelatin [poly(l-lactide-co-e-caprolactone)/ gelatin membrane, (P/G (3/7)]. Subsequent to our previous in vitro study, our goal was to evaluate the in vivo performance of PLCL, gelatin, and P/G (3/7) membranes, and investigate the feasibility of the newly developed P/G (3/7) membrane for wound healing. Histological analysis using the mathematical model of wound healing and contraction, revealed the association between stiffness of skin substitute with cytokeratin production and wound contraction rate, and the defect site covered with the stiffer membrane showed lower cytokeratin production, and inversely, higher wound contraction rate. Overall, the P/G (3/7) membrane induced a satisfactory wound healing outcome. However, lower cytokeratin production rate with the mechanically modified P/G membrane involves the importance of the conditional blending of PLCL. Conversely, the condition of PLCL showed some incompatibility and hindrance of skin regeneration, consistent with previous in vitro results. With proper mechanical strength and cell viability, the P/G (3/7) membrane could successfully be used as a suitable skin substitute scaffold.