Collagen sponge prolongs taurine release for improved wound healing through inflammation inhibition and proliferation stimulation

Background Attenuating oxidative stress response is an effective strategy for the treatment of wounds. Taurine is a widely abundant amino acid in mammal species, capable of inhibiting oxygen-free radicals during the inflammation phase. Methods A novel taurine carried biocompatible composite collagen-derived sponge, Tau@Col, was fabricated for the treatment of a full-thickness removal mouse wounds model. In vitro experiments included taurine release from Tau@Col and cell viability when co-cultured with Tau@Col. With the prolonged release of taurine upon the wound site, Tau@Col was engineered to perform well in the wound site through inflammation inhibition and proliferation stimulation as demonstrated by a series of histological staining. Results In vitro taurine release profile and good cell biocompatibility of Tau@Col were demonstrated. In vivo studies showed that Tau@Col indeed sped up the process of wound regeneration through enhanced granulation formation, collagen deposition as well as re-epithelialization. Further investigations through immunofluorescence staining revealed that the improved wound healing ability of Tau@Col was mediated by the enhanced cell proliferation via the upregulation of endogenous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) expression as well as decreased inflammatory response through stimulated M2 polarization of macrophages. Conclusions This engineered Tau@Col delivery system has great potential as a wound dressing in future applications.