Electrospun PLGA/collagen nanofibrous membrane as early-stage wound dressing

Electrospinning of polylactide-polyglycolide (PLGA)/collagen in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) to fabricate a biomimetic nanofibrous extracellular membranes for wound dressing and tissue engineering was investigated. The morphology of as-spun PLGA/collagen nanofibers was examined by scanning electron microscopy. The average diameter of electrospun nanofibers was 250 nm (range of 150-650 nm). Degradation rate of PLGA/collagen nanofibrous membranes, cytocompatibility and cellular responses to membranes, cell and nanofibers interactions, and open wound healing in rats were studied. It was found that nanofibrous membranes made of PLGA/collagen were functionally active in responses in human fibroblasts, and were very effective as wound-healing accelerators in early-stage wound healing. The empirical results in this study indicate that electrospun PLGA/collagen nanofibers may be a good candidate as a wound dressing for skin regeneration. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.