A composite dressing combining ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowire bio-paper and a calcium alginate hydrogel accelerates wound healing

Abstract

An acute wound is the most common type of skin injury. Developing wound dressings with excellent mechanical properties, wound protection, comfort, angiogenic capacity and therapeutic effects is significant for effective treatments, yet remains challenging. Herein, we have designed a novel HAP–Alg composite dressing comprising a complementary ultralong hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanowire bio-paper and calcium alginate hydrogel. The HAP bio-paper assembled by ultralong HAP nanowires, in contrast to typical brittle HAP bio-ceramics, exhibits a highly flexible and interwoven structure to enhance the mechanical and protective performance of an alginate hydrogel, and the alginate matrix creates a moist environment for skin regeneration. Therefore, the HAP–Alg composite dressing presents good mechanical properties and high resistance to swelling and shrinkage, along with a reliable bacterial shielding ability. In addition, its moisturizing effect can deliver bioactive calcium ions to promote angiogenesis, accelerate re-epithelialization and reduce scar formation. In vitro studies reveal that the HAP–Alg composite dressing has excellent biocompatibility, promotes cell migration and angiogenesis, and enhances calcium ion influx. In vivo wound models further prove the ability of the HAP–Alg composite dressing to accelerate wound closure, enhance collagen deposition, and induce neovascularization. This work demonstrates that the HAP–Alg composite dressing offers a promising wound dressing for acute wound treatment and protection.