Advances in skin wound and scar repair by polymer scaffolds

Abstract

Scars, as the result of abnormal wound-healing response after skin injury, may lead to loss of aesthetics and physical dysfunction. Current clinical strategies, such as surgical excision, laser treatment, and drug application, provide late remedies for scarring, yet it is difficult to eliminate scars. In this review, the functions, roles of multiple polymer scaffolds in wound healing and scar inhibition are explored. Polysaccharide and protein scaffolds, an analog of extracellular matrix, act as templates for cell adhesion and migration, differentiation to facilitate wound reconstruction and limit scarring. Stem cell-seeded scaffolds and growth factors-loaded scaffolds offer significant bio-active substances to improve the wound healing process. Special emphasis is placed on scaffolds that continuously release oxygen, which greatly accelerates the vascularization process and ensures graft survival, providing convincing theoretical support and great promise for scarless healing.