Preparation and structural characterization of surface modified microporous bacterial cellulose scaffolds: A potential material for skin regeneration applications in vitro and in vivo

This study reports the fabrication of porogen-induced, surface-modified, 3-dimensionally microporous regenerated bacterial cellulose (rBC)/gelatin (3DMP rBC/G) scaffolds for skin regeneration applications. Round shaped gelatin microspheres (GMS), fabricated using a water-in-oil emulsion (WOE) method, were utilized as the porogen. The dissolution of GMS from the solution casted BC scaffolds led to surface-modified microporous rBC. The scaffolds were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and elemental analysis. FE-SEM analysis confirmed the regular microporosity of the 3DMP rBC/G scaffolds, while elemental analysis confirmed the successful surface modification of cellulose with gelatin. In vitro tests showed good adhesion and proliferation of human keratinocytes (HaCaT) on the 3DMP rBC/G scaffolds during 7 days of incubation. Confocal microscopy showed penetration of HaCaT cells into the scaffolds, up to 300 μm in depth. In vivo wound healing and skin regeneration experiments, in experimental mice, showed complete skin regeneration within 2 weeks. The wound closure efficacy of the 3DMP rBC/G scaffolds was much higher (93%) than that of the control (47%) and pure BC-treated (63%) wounds. These results indicated that our 3DMP rBC/G scaffolds represent future candidate materials for skin regeneration applications.