Reduced graphene oxide impregnated gelma hydrogel promotes angiogenic activity in chick embryo model

Statement of Purpose: Non-healing or slow healing of chronic wounds is among the serious complications of diabetes. Decrease in blood supply along with oxygen, nutrients and growth factors leads to reduced proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and keratinocyte cells as well as decrease in angiogenesis and collagen deposition in diabetic wounds [1]. Therefore, designing a wound dressing patch using a biodegradable material which can provide a sustained release/delivery of some angiogenic factor and promote rapid development of blood vessels will be highly beneficial for enhanced diabetic wound healing. Multiple evidences from both in-vitro and in-vivo studies have shown that graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide promote wound healing by promoting proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and keratinocytes cells. In addition, rGO possesses pre-angiogenic property. Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) based hydrogels display excellent hydrophilic properties due to the presence of hydrophilic amido, amino, carboxyl and hydroxyl groups in the polymer chains, which gives them highly porous, soft and flexible structure. In the current work, we have developed a reduced graphene oxide incorporated GelMA hydrogel dressing to improve wound healing by increasing proliferation and migration of cells as well as promoting formation of new blood vessels for increased supply of nutrients, oxygen and growth factors to wound area.