Engineering Vascularizing Electrospun Dermal Grafts by Integrating Fish Collagen and Ion-Doped Bioactive Glass

Utilizing bioactive molecules from organic sources in combination with inorganic materials for enhanced tissue regeneration has been a focus of recent scientific advancements. Some recent studies showed the potential of some specialized bioactive glass for healing of soft tissues; the role of Rohu (Labeo rohita) skin-derived collagen, a biopolymer in tissue regeneration and cutaneous healing, is yet to be established. So, we have fabricated four different types of electrospun mats as wound dressing materials/dermal grafts by combining locally sourced fish (Rohu) skin-derived collagen with novel composition of bioactive glass (Fcol/BAG) without and with dopants (3% and 5% Cu and Co, respectively and their binary) aimed at achieving an accelerated wound healing. FTIR and EDX mapping indicated successful integration of collagen and ion-doped bioactive glass in electrospun mats. Microfibers' architectural features and composition provided a cytocompatible and nontoxic environment conducive to adhesion, spreading, and proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts in vitro; in addition, they were hemocompatible with rabbit red blood cells. Better cutaneous wound healing in rabbits was achieved by treating with Fcol/CoBAG and Fcol/CuCoBAG microfibers with respect to improved wound closure, well-formed continuous epidermis, higher wound maturity, and regulated deposition of extracellular matrix components; mature collagen and elastin. Notably, a significantly (p < 0.01) higher density of blood vessels/positive CD 31 staining was observed in fish collagen/ion-doped bioactive glass microfibrous mat treated wounds suggesting efficient neo-vascularization during early stages of the healing process particularly attributable to copper and cobalt ions in the doped bioactive glass. Enhanced vascularizing ability of these engineered dermal composite grafts/wound dressings along with efficient remodeling of cutaneous structural components (ECM) could collectively be ascribed to bioactive properties of bioactive glass and stimulatory roles of copper, cobalt ions, and fish collagen. Our study demonstrates that a fish collagen/Cu and Co-doped bioactive glass microfibrous mat could potentially be used as a low-cost dressing material/dermal graft for augmented cutaneous wound healing.