EGF-Loaded Nanofibers for Skin Tissue Engineering

Growth factors are essential modulators that affect a variety of wound-healing processes. Amid those, epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been the first and foremost growth factor applied to deal with various ulcers. EGF is involved in the stimulation, proliferation, and migration of keratinocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts; secretion of extracellular matrix protein; as well as formation of granulation tissue. Therefore, clinicians have focused on the application of EGF in order to improve wound healing and skin regeneration. Owing to the fast diffusion and degradation of the topically applied EGF in the wound sites, a variety of systems have been developed for its topical application. Taking advantage of a controlled-release system from nanofibers enables the protection of EGF against in vivo degradation, providing essential signals for an extended time in the local tissue microenvironment. Furthermore, nanofibers can be considered as an appropriate substrate for cell attachment and wound healing. This chapter aims to review the application of EGF in nanofibers for skin regeneration and wound treatment.