Modulation of Hypertrophic Scar Formation Using Amniotic Membrane/Electrospun Silk Fibroin Bilayer Membrane in a Rabbit Ear Model

Hypertrophic scarring is a dermal disorder resulting from collagen and other extra cellular matrix protein depositions following the deep trauma, severe burn injury, and surgery incisions. A variety of therapeutic procedures are currently available, however, achieving an ideal treatment method remains a challenge. In our recently published report, a 3D bilayered decellularized human amniotic membrane/electrospun silk fibroin membrane was fabricated and characterized for regenerative medical applications. To obtain a solid bind between two layers, the samples were immersed in 70% ethanol. In this study, the effects of amniotic membrane/electrospun silk fibroin on minimizing the postinjury hypertrophic scar formation were determined in the rabbit ear model. In vivo experiments were carried out to assess the bilayer membrane characteristics on full thickness hypertrophic scar at days 28 and 50 postimplantations. A significant decrease in collagen deposition and expression and increased expression and deposition of MMP1 in the wound bed were observed on the wounds dressed with bilayered membrane when compared to the amniotic membrane alone and controls (wound with no implant). The current study shows that our fabricated construct has potential as an efficient antiscarring wound dressing material and may also serve for the subsequent soft tissue engineering needs.