Evaluation of Electrospinning Keratin Membrane with Gelatin Addition in Relation to Nerve Regeneration
Abstract
There is a persisting search for better nerve regeneration after injury. It has been reported that keratin, contained in human hair, is involved in inducing wound healing.
However, it may lose 3D conformation and weaken the mechanical strength after hair sheath taken off. In the study, the electrospinning technique was used to rebuild the fibrous structure of keratin with gelatin.
After gelatin added into the keratin with the volume ratio of 2:1 (KGt12), 1:1 (KGt11) and 1:2 (KGt21), the mixture would be restored the fibrous structure by electrospinning process. The degradation rate of KGt12, KGt11 and KGt21 was much slower than degradation of gelatin.
After culturing for 7 days, Schwann cells were on the KGt11 and KGt21 still rounded up without filament full extension and adhesion. On KGt12, Schwann cells migrated into the fibrous structure and integrated with the membrane.
The expression of BDNF and myelin-related genes showed that the Schwann cell cultured on KGt12 kept its phenotype without changing the cell behavior. The Schwann cells cultured on KGt11 and KGt21 did not express S-100 protein in normal phase.
It might be due to phenotype lost. We believe that the KGt12 could provide better microenvironment for the Schwann cells adhesion, extension, proliferation and migration.