Researchers at the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI) have introduced a pioneering injectable granular filler, offering a promising advancement in diabetic wound treatment that could significantly enhance patient outcomes. This landmark study, published in ACS Nano, presents an innovative approach utilizing specialized porous dermal fillers that facilitate accelerated tissue healing and regeneration.
The collaborative team from TIBI and the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) has developed a unique technique by integrating electrospinning and electrospraying technologies to produce porous, granular nanofibrous microspheres (NMs).
Constructed from biocompatible materials such as poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and gelatin, these microspheres are easily administered via injection into wound sites, ensuring a minimally invasive treatment process.
“This technology marks a major breakthrough in wound care and management, impacting millions of patients globally,” said Dr. Johnson John, the principal investigator of the study. “Our approach offers a less invasive, highly advanced approach from current treatments potentially improving healing outcomes in a short period of time.”
The study highlighted several key advancements in the wound-healing process. Notably, the newly developed dermal fillers, designed with adjustable porous microstructures, demonstrated significant improvements in cell migration, granulation tissue formation, and neovascularization. Additionally, these dermal fillers exhibited enhanced structural integrity, maintaining their form and resilience during the minimally invasive injection process.
“This innovative approach to treating diabetic foot ulcers represents exactly the kind of clinically translational technology we need in modern healthcare,” said Dr. Ali Khademhosseini, CEO of Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation. “By combining advanced biomaterials science with practical clinical applications, we’re opening new possibilities for millions of diabetic patients who suffer from chronic wounds. This research exemplifies our commitment to developing solutions that are both scientifically sophisticated and practically applicable in real-world medical settings.”
Most notably, the research underscores its potential to enhance three critical components of wound healing: host cell infiltration, neovascularization, and skin regeneration. These findings indicate that the treatment could markedly improve healing outcomes for diabetic wounds, potentially reducing the need for intensive interventions and positively impacting patients’ quality of life. The researchers are preparing to conduct further studies to advance this technology toward clinical trials. This study was supported by the Principal Investigator’s RO1 grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
The study was published in the journal ACS Nano.
