Keratin-Based Materials for Wound Healing Applications
Summary
Keratin, a structural protein abundant in hair, wool and feathers, has emerged as a versatile biomaterial for wound management. Its intrinsic biocompatibility, biodegradability and capacity to mimic aspects of the native extracellular matrix underpin a range of formulations, including hydrogels, films, sponges and fibres. Through intrinsic cell-binding motifs and the ability to incorporate bioactive agents, keratin matrices support keratinocyte and fibroblast adhesion, promote angiogenesis, and regulate inflammatory cascades. Modifications such as peptide conjugation, crosslinking and composite formation with polysaccharides or synthetic polymers allow fine-tuning of mechanical strength, porosity and degradation kinetics. These platforms enable sustained release of antimicrobial peptides, analgesic compounds or growth factors, thereby addressing challenges of infection, pain and chronicity. Preclinical studies in diabetic and infected wound models demonstrate accelerated re-epithelialisation, enhanced collagen deposition and reduced scar formation, highlighting keratin’s potential to meet global needs for advanced, cost-effective dressings.
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Keratin-Based Materials for Wound Healing Applications publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in keratin-based materials for wound healing applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Keratin: A family of fibrous structural proteins forming intermediate filaments in epithelial cells.
Hydrogel: A three-dimensional polymer network capable of retaining large volumes of water while maintaining structural integrity.
Re-epithelialisation: The process by which keratinocytes migrate to restore the epidermal layer over a wound bed.
Angiogenesis: Formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature, essential for supplying nutrients to healing tissue.
Macrophage infiltration: Migration of macrophages into wound tissue, where they modulate inflammation and support remodelling.
Biocompatibility: The property of a material to perform without eliciting adverse host responses.
Biodegradability: The capacity of a material to undergo enzymatic or hydrolytic breakdown into biologically acceptable components.
References
- Photopolymerized keratin-PGLa hydrogels for antibiotic resistance reversal and enhancement of infectious wound healing. Materials Today Bio (2023).
- Keratin Biomaterials in Skin Wound Healing, an Old Player in Modern Medicine: A Mini Review. Pharmaceutics (2021).
- Keratin-Butyrate Scaffolds Promote Skin Wound Healing in Diabetic Rats Through Down-Regulation of IL-1β and Up-Regulation of Keratins 16 and 17. Journal of Natural Fibers (2022).
- Biomedical Potential of Keratin-Biphalin Wound Dressing in Diabetic Mice: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies. Journal of Natural Fibers (2023).
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