Fabrication and application of microencapsulated adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells /conductive nanofiber composite wound dressing

Wound healing is a complex and critical physiological process. Traditional cell transplantation strategies often fail to ensure long-term cell survival owing to the detrimental effects of the wound microenvironment, such as acidity, hypoxia, and nutrient deficiency. Therefore, encapsulating cells within microcapsules before transplantation to the wound site is highly desirable. In this work, a core–shell conductive nanofiber membrane with favorable mechanical properties was integrated with conductive microcapsules loaded with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) to create an ADSCs delivery system, resulting in a microencapsulated ADSCs/conductive nanofiber composite dressing. Both the conductive nanofibers and microcapsule materials exhibited a porous, breathable structure. The core–shell conductive nanofibers showed excellent porosity, hydrophilicity, and in vitro degradation properties. Furthermore, the composite dressing exhibited good biocompatibility and antibacterial properties. Electrical stimulation in vitro effectively promoted the paracrine activity of the ADSCs within the microcapsules, preserving their viability and stemness. In vivo experiments revealed that the composite dressing group exhibited a significantly enhanced wound contraction compared to the control group, with the neoepidermis at the wound site more closely resembling the normal skin structure, displaying an increased and well-organized collagen deposition. Moreover, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was reduced while microvessel formation increased, thereby accelerating wound healing. In conclusion, the microencapsulated ADSCs/conductive nanofiber composite dressing possessed excellent conductivity, antibacterial properties, biocompatibility, and inflammation-modulating capabilities, endowing it with significant research value in tissue engineering as an innovative wound repair system.