Development of a calcium-chelating hydrogel for treatment of superficial burns and scalds.
OBJECTIVE
Superficial burns and scalds are usually managed conservatively with traditional dressings. Failure to heal within 3 weeks leads to their management by skin grafting. Our aim was to develop a biomaterial to actively promote keratinocyte migration in superficial burns by modulating local cation concentrations to accelerate keratinocyte migration and deter wounds from contracting, thus potentially reducing the number of such wounds requiring grafting.


METHODS
We investigated polymeric hydrogels for their Ca(2+) chelating properties and enhancement of keratinocyte migration in human tissue-engineered skin models.


RESULTS
Dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate:methacrylic acid hydrogel coupled with elevated [Mg(2+)] reduced media [Ca(2+)], potentiating keratinocyte migration in tissue-engineered skin models, it also significantly reduced wound model contraction.


CONCLUSIONS
Dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate:methacrylic acid hydrogels could promote wound healing and reduce wound contraction, a significant complication in burn wound healing.
Bullock
A J
AJ
Kroto Research Institute, North Campus, Broad Lane, Sheffield, S3 7HQ, UK. a.j.bullock@sheffield.ac.uk
Pickavance
P
P
Haddow
D B
DB
Rimmer
S
S
MacNeil
S
S
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002056:Burns / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002118:Calcium; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002614:Chelating Agents; D008689:Methacrylates; C008384:methacrylic acid; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D002118:Calcium