Multifunctional Nanofiber\nMembranes Constructed by\nMicrofluidic Blow-Spinning to Inhibit Scar Formation at Early Intervention\nStage

Pathological scarring has been a challenge in skin injury\nrepair\nsince ancient times, and prophylactic treatment in the early stages\nof wound healing usually results in delayed wound healing. In this\nstudy, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and chitosan (CTS) were used as\ncarrier materials to construct multifunctional pirfenidone (PFD)/CTS/PEO\n(PCP) nanofiber membranes (NFMs) loaded with PFD by microfluidic blow-spinning\n(MBS). MBS is a good method for quickly, safely, and greenly constructing\nlarge-area manufacturing of inexpensive NFMs. PCP NFMs were uniform\nin external morphology, with diameters ranging from 200 to 500 nm.\nThe encapsulation efficiency of the drug-loaded PCP NFMs was above\n80%, which had a good slow release, visualization, water absorption,\nand biocompatibility. The inhibitory effect of PCP NFMs on normal\nhuman dermal fibroblasts was dose-dependent and inhibited the expression\nof the transforming growth factor-β1/SMAD family member 3 (TGF-β1/SMAD3)\nsignaling pathway. PCP NFMs showed significant antibacterial effects\nagainst both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In the rabbit ear scar experiment,\nthe wound healed about 70% on day 5 and almost completely on day 10\nafter PCP-3 NFMs treatment, with the thinnest scar tissue, skin color,\ntenderness close to normal tissue, and a Vancouver scar scale score\nof less than 5. PCP-3 NFMs had good effects on anti-inflammatory,\nwound healing, and collagen-I deposition reducing effects. In conclusion,\nPCP-3 NFMs can both promote wound healing and intervene to inhibit\npathological scarring in advance, making them a potential multifunctional\nwound dressing for early prevention and treatment of pathological\nscarring.