Collagen sponge prolongs taurine release for improved wound healing through inflammation inhibition and proliferation stimulation

BACKGROUND: Attenuating oxidative stress response is an effective strategy for the treatment of wounds. Taurine is a widely abundant amino acid in mammal species, capable of inhibiting oxygen-free radicals during the inflammation phase. METHODS: A novel taurine carried biocompatible composite collagen-derived sponge, Tau@Col, was fabricated for the treatment of a full-thickness removal mouse wounds model. In vitro experiments included taurine release from Tau@Col and cell viability when co-cultured with Tau@Col. With the prolonged release of taurine upon the wound site, Tau@Col was engineered to perform well in the wound site through inflammation inhibition and proliferation stimulation as demonstrated by a series of histological staining. RESULTS: In vitro taurine release profile and good cell biocompatibility of Tau@Col were demonstrated. In vivo studies showed that Tau@Col indeed sped up the process of wound regeneration through enhanced granulation formation, collagen deposition as well as re-epithelialization. Further investigations through immunofluorescence staining revealed that the improved wound healing ability of Tau@Col was mediated by the enhanced cell proliferation via the upregulation of endogenous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) expression as well as decreased inflammatory response through stimulated M2 polarization of macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: This engineered Tau@Col delivery system has great potential as a wound dressing in future applications.