Promotion of skin regeneration through co-axial electrospun fibers loaded with basic fibroblast growth factor

Cutaneous wound healing is complex, requiring a coordinated response by growth factors, drugs, and resident cells of the skin. To simulate native extracellular matrix, electrospun nanofibers offer a favorable microenvironment for biological processes, generating considerable interest in skin tissue regeneration. Furthermore, among the most essential growth factors in wound healing, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) promotes cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation, thus enhancing wound healing. However, its application is limited by a short half-life and loss of bioactivity in normal physiological conditions when used in its naked form and without stabilization. Hence, delivering the growth factor with a controllable releasing speed constitutes a challenge. The aim of this study was to create a growth factor-releasing system that allows for time-controlled release to facilitate skin regeneration. Electrospun collagen-graphene oxide (Col-GO) scaffolds loaded with bFGF were fabricated. The cumulative release rate of the Col-0.2% GO-bFGF group was 30.94 ± 7.77%, which was superior to the other groups. Moreover, core–shell structured Col/GO and polylactic acid (PLA) nanofibers were fabricated by coaxial electrospinning in the attempt of reducing the degradation rate of the scaffolds (Col-GO). The ability of the materials to promoting wound healing in vitro and in vivo was investigated, and the improved skin tissue recovery with the growth factor release system was demonstrated. Importantly, bFGF was sustained-released through the constructed systems, leading to the best wound healing performance when the scaffolds contained the growth factor. The healing rates of Col-GO and core–shell scaffolds loaded with bFGF were 96.39 ± 0.66% and 92.29 ± 0.42%, respectively. Graphical abstract Col-GO and PLA through coaxial electrospinning to form core–shell fiber scaffolds for skin tissue engineering applications