Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Nanobiotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
IET Nanobiotechnol. 2023 May;17(3):204-211. doi: 10.1049/nbt2.12116. Epub 2023 Feb 3.
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) can be efficiently used in wound healing process; but the main obstacle of its clinical use is its susceptibility to proteolysis and maintaining its effective concentration in the site of action. In this study, chitosan nanoparticles containing EGF is formulated using a simple method to increase its stability in physiological pH as well as protect its biological activity and effectiveness in wound healing process. Nanoparticles with different ratios of chitosan/EGF were prepared and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Obtained results showed nanoparticles with 2:1 ratio of chitosan/EGF were able to release 80% of encapsulated protein after 12 h. Cell proliferation study demonstrated that prepared nanoparticles could protect EGF functionality in physiological pH. In vivo results showed that nanoparticles with 2:1 ratio of chitosan/EGF could significantly accelerate the wound closure-rate, re-epithelialisation and collagen deposition. In conclusion, the designed nanoparticles in optimal ratio can be considered as a potential vehicle for EGF delivery to wounds with the aim of improving healing process.
表皮生长因子（EGF）可有效地用于伤口愈合过程；但其临床应用的主要障碍是其对蛋白水解的敏感性以及在作用部位维持其有效浓度。在这项研究中，采用简单的方法将包含 EGF 的壳聚糖纳米粒子进行配方设计，以增加其在生理 pH 下的稳定性，并保护其在伤口愈合过程中的生物活性和有效性。制备了不同壳聚糖/EGF 比例的纳米粒子，并进行了体外和体内评价。结果表明，壳聚糖/EGF 比例为 2:1 的纳米粒子在 12 小时后能够释放 80%的包封蛋白。细胞增殖研究表明，所制备的纳米粒子能够在生理 pH 下保护 EGF 的功能。体内结果表明，壳聚糖/EGF 比例为 2:1 的纳米粒子能够显著加速伤口闭合率、再上皮化和胶原沉积。总之，设计的最佳比例的纳米粒子可以被认为是一种潜在的 EGF 输送载体，用于改善愈合过程。
