Multifunctional and biomimetic fish collagen/bioactive glass nanofibers: fabrication, antibacterial activity and inducing skin regeneration in vitro and in vivo

The development of skin wound dressings with excellent properties has always been an important challenge in the field of biomedicine. In this study, biomimetic electrospun fish collagen/bioactive glass (Col/BG) nanofibers were prepared. Their structure, tensile strength, antibacterial activity and biological effects on human keratinocytes, human dermal fibroblasts and human vascular endothelial cells were investigated. Furthermore, the Sprague Dawley rat skin defect model was used to validate their effect on wound healing. The results showed that compared with pure fish collagen nanofibers, the tensile strength of the Col/BG nanofibers increased to 21.87±0.21 Mpa, with a certain degree of antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. It was also found that the Col/BG nanofibers promoted the adhesion, proliferation and migration of human keratinocytes. Col/BG nanofibers induced the secretion of type one collagen and vascular endothelial growth factor by human dermal fibroblasts, which further stimulated the proliferation of human vascular endothelial cells. Animal experimentation indicated that the Col/BG nanofibers could accelerate rat skin wound healing. This study developed a type of multifunctional and biomimetic fish Col/BG nanofibers, which had the ability to induce skin regeneration with adequate tensile strength and antibacterial activity. The Col/BG nanofibers are also easily available and inexpensive, providing the possibility for using as a functional skin wound dressing.