Fibrin-Based Biomaterials in Wound Healing Applications
Summary
Fibrin-based biomaterials harness the natural clotting protein fibrin to create provisional matrices that support and accelerate tissue repair. Generated by the enzymatic conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin and subsequent polymerisation, these scaffolds can be formulated as hydrogels, foams, sponges or nanofibre meshes. By tuning polymerisation conditions and cross-linking density, researchers achieve bespoke mechanical strength, porosity and degradation rates suited to different wound types. When loaded with bioactive agents—such as growth factors, cells or antimicrobials—fibrin scaffolds promote rapid haemostasis, modulate inflammation, stimulate angiogenesis and encourage keratinocyte migration and re-epithelialisation. Advances in molecular engineering, including incorporation of synthetic polymers and controlled-release systems, are extending the functional lifetime and mechanical resilience of fibrin dressings, guiding the development of next-generation therapies for acute and chronic wounds.
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Fibrin-Based Biomaterials in Wound Healing Applications publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in fibrin-based biomaterials in wound healing applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Fibrinogen: A soluble plasma glycoprotein that is enzymatically converted to fibrin during coagulation.
Fibrin: The insoluble fibrous protein network formed by polymerisation of fibrinogen, serving as a provisional matrix in wounds.
Hydrogel: A three-dimensional, water-saturated polymeric network used to mimic soft tissue environments.
Cross-linking: Chemical or enzymatic bonding between polymer chains to enhance mechanical strength and control degradation.
Angiogenesis: The formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature, essential for supplying nutrients to healing tissue.
References
- Physiological fibrin hydrogel modulates immune cells and molecules and accelerates mouse skin wound healing. Frontiers in Immunology (2023).
- Structure, Properties and Degradation of Self-Assembled Fibrinogen Nanofiber Scaffolds. ACS Applied Bio Materials (2024).
- Fibrin Matrices as (Injectable) Biomaterials: Formation, Clinical Use, and Molecular Engineering. Macromolecular Bioscience (2019).
- Advances in Fibrin-Based Materials in Wound Repair: A Review. Molecules (2022).
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