3D Printed Bioactive PLGA Dermal Scaffold for Burn Wound Treatment

Burn injury represents a major global public healthcare problem and has a significant health-economics impact. In this study, we report on a 3D printed poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) dermal scaffold containing bioactive PLGA for burn wound healing. Bioactive brush copolymers containing pendant side chains of PLGA and PEGylated Arg-Gly-Asp tripeptide (RGD) or hyaluronic acid (HA) were synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). These copolymers exhibited good thermal stability for material processing using melt-extrusion-based methods. The copolymers were blended with commercial PLGA, extruded into filaments and 3D printed using fused filament fabrication (FFF) methods with incorporated porosities. The 3D printed scaffolds demonstrated good biocompatibility in in vitro cell assays and in vivo murine models. Porcine study based on partial thickness burn wound model showed that these PLGA scaffolds facilitated re-epithelization with reduced inflammation as compared to the clinical gold standard for second-degree burn wound treatment, Biobrane. The bioactive PLGA scaffolds presented herein are beneficial in wound healing and have therapeutic potential in burn wounds treatment.