Dual-channel constructed polycaprolactone/chitosan/stem cells nanofibers with superior activity for burns and scalds

Burns and scalds heal slowly due to tissue loss at the wound site and the susceptibility to bacterial infection. Stem cell therapy can compensate for the missing cells at the wound site and promote wound healing. However, the activity of stem cells is easily affected by solvents and high-molecular-weight polymers, which limits the efficacy of stem cell therapy. Here, we developed a compact and portable in situ dual-channel composite electrospinning device. For the first time, this device allowed mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to be attached to the surface of polycaprolactone(PCL)/chitosan fibers. The dual-channel design prevents MSCs from contacting the spinning solution directly, thereby overcoming the negative impact of solvents on cell activity and broadening the range of solvents. This advantage is not achievable with conventional electrospinning methods that incorporate MSCs into the spinning precursor solution. The experimental results confirmed that our method combining electrospray and electrospinning enabled uniform dispersion of MSCs among the fibers, and enhanced stem cells survival, promoting their function of stem cells in the wound healing. Further experiments have confirmed that MSCs incorporation endows nanofiber dressings with antibacterial properties and promotes wound healing by inducing the secretion of epidermal growth factor. This combination of stem cell therapy and nanofibers offered a promising new approach for treating burns and scalds, suitable for both outdoor and home emergency handling.