PDGF-AA loaded photo-crosslinked chitosan-based hydrogel for promoting wound healing

Chitosan-based hydrogels are considered to be ideal materials for promoting wound healing due to their nontoxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible properties. However, the weak mechanical strength, hemostatic properties, and adhesive properties of chitosan hydrogels limit their potential applications. In this study, we synthesized methacrylimide-chitosan (MAC)-4-arm polyethylene glycol (PEG)-dopamine (DMA) (MAC-PEG-DMA) hybrid hydrogels containing A-chain homodimers of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-AA) through one-pot photo-crosslinking. The resulting hydrogel exhibited improved mechanical strength and hemostatic properties as demonstrated by both in vitro blood clotting assay and rat liver hemorrhage assay. Furthermore, The PDGF-AA loaded hydrogel was also able to accelerate cell migration and proliferation. Data from skin wounds treated with this hybrid hydrogel showed faster wound closure and collagen maturation. Therefore, MAC-PEG-DMA (PDGF-AA) has great potential as a dressing to promote wound healing.