Living Electrospun Short Fibrous Sponge via Engineered Nanofat for Wound Healing

Living cells and active factors are the two core elements of tissue repair, directly affecting the healing efficiency of damaged tissue. Nanofat (NF) can release living cells, such as adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), as well as active growth factors to promote angiogenesis, thus realizing cell-based wound healing. Herein, a novel living electrospun short fibrous sponge is constructed by modifying three-dimensional (3D) bionic short fibers with engineered NF. The uniform distribution of the polydopamine (PDA) modification endows the living sponges with stable mechanical properties, reversible water absorption and excellent adhesion even after repeated compression by an external force and long-term aqueous immersion. Meanwhile, the living electrospun short fibrous sponges with uniform NF modification contain living cells such as ADSCs and active growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which can effectively promote the tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In vivo, the living sponges can effectively and continuously act on wounds and act as a bionic living skin to prevent the loss of internal nutrients, creating a comfortable and favorable microenvironment for tissue regeneration and promoting the healing of diabetic wounds. Therefore, living electrospun short fibrous sponges via engineered NF are expected to achieve continuous wound healing with in situ living cells and active factors in injured tissues.

Automated summary

In this study, a novel living electrospun short fibrous sponge was constructed by incorporating nanofat (NF) to release living cells and active growth factors for enhanced angiogenesis and wound healing. The modified living sponges exhibited stable mechanical properties, reversible water absorption, and excellent adhesion even after compression and long-term immersion. The NF-modified sponges promoted tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) due to the presence of living cells and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In vivo, the living sponges acted as a bionic living skin to create a favorable microenvironment for tissue regeneration and promote healing of diabetic wounds.