Thiolated hyaluronic acid/silk fibroin dual-network hydrogel incorporated with bioglass nanoparticles for wound healing

Thiolated hyaluronic acid(THA) conjugates were synthesized and the selected THA was combined with silk fibroin(SF) and bioactive glass nanoparticles to build a novel type of composite hydrogel with dual-network structure. The optimally achieved gels showed greatly enhanced strength and stiffness compared to the gels built from either THA or SF while having well-defined elasticity and injectability. They were able to sustainably release Si ions in approximately linear manners for around three weeks. In vitro cell culture revealed that they supported the in-growth and proliferation of seeded cells, and showed the ability to markedly stimulate the migration of both fibroblasts and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In vivo results based on the 10 mm mouse full-thickness skin defect demonstrated that they were able to fully restore the skin defects with formation of vascularized tissues and complete appendages during two weeks, suggesting their highly promising potency in use for wound healing.