Browsing by Author "Sousa, Teresa"
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- Biohybrid dressings: integrating silk fibroin textiles with decellularized biological tissue for wound healingPublication . Sousa, Teresa; Vale, Inês; Rosadas, Marta; Silva, Inês V.; Ribeiro, Viviana P.; Oliveira, Ana L.Burns affect 11 million people globally each year with 180,000 associated fatalities. This study proposes a multilayer hybrid dressing combining a silk fibroin (SF) textile with decellularized porcine small intestine (dPSI) capable of simultaneously provide wound protection and tissue regeneration. A silk sericin (SS) hydrogel was embedded into the decellularized tissue ensuring the integration with the textile layer while promoting anti-inflammatory benefits, enhancing the hybrid dressing’s biological performance.
- Exploring new biobased material sources as platforms to advance skin wound healing and regenerationPublication . Ribeiro, Viviana; Bernardes, Beatriz G.; Duarte, Marta; Rosadas, Marta; Sousa, Teresa; Sousa, Alda; Serra, Julia; García-González, Carlos; Oliveira, Ana L.Chronic wounds are one of the major therapeutic and healthcare challenges affecting the population globally. One of the research interests of the Biomaterials and Biomedical Technology Lab (BBT Lab) is to explore the potential of biobased material platforms to advance skin wound healing and regeneration solutions. From the use of natural based biopolymers such as silk fibroin (SF) or sulfated exopolysaccharides (EPS), to the processing of more complex matrices such as the extracellular matrices, the group has been collaborating with some strategic partners in IBEROS+ to process, functionalize and characterize the materials for their physicochemical properties, structural adaptability, biocompatibility and bioactivity. SF microparticulate aerogels loaded with adenosine have been developed via supercritical fluid technology in collaboration with the University of Santiago de Compostela. These particles exhibit a high porosity, biocompatibility, and positive interactions with skin cells towards regeneration, highlighting their promise in wound healing. A new Exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by Porphyridium cruentum microalgae was developed as a novel biomaterial platform, offering bioactive properties, high molecular weight, thermal stability, and cytocompatibility for complex wound healing. An extensive characterization is ongoing, with contribution of the University of Vigo. For extensive burn wounds, where autologous grafts are impractical, skin xenografts may provide a viable alternative, mostly if depleted from its immunogenic load. To achieve this, our group has developed and optimized methods for obtaining highly-preserved animal- origin decellularized tissues for human skin healing and regeneration. An important example is the valorization of rabbit skin, a valuable agro-food by-product that exceeds 5000 skins/day only in Europe. Our group has recently developed decellularized rabbit dermal matrices with preserved microarchitecture and human-like biochemical properties and expects to continue further developments in collaboration with the IBEROS+ consortium.
- Exploring rabbit skin as a novel decellularized dermal substitute for burn wound healingPublication . Rosadas, Marta; Sousa, Teresa; Silva, Inês V.; Sousa, Alda; Ribeiro, Viviana P.; Oliveira, Ana L.Aim: Burn wounds represent a significant medical challenge. Autografts remain the standard treatment, however, are unsuitable for deep or extensive burns(1). Decellularized skin xenografts offer a viable alternative, having significantly reduced immunogenicity, still there is currently no skin-derived decellularized xenografic matrix due to its low resemblance to human skin (2)(3). This study proposes decellularized rabbit skin as a viable mimetic alternative. We describe a novel protocol for valorizing an agro-food by-product, exceeding 5000 skins/day, into highly preserved decellularized rabbit dermal matrices (HP-dRDMs) for burn wound treatment and skin regeneration. Method: Rabbit skin by-products were processed at Cortadoria Nacional de Pêlo S.A., following pioneer methodologies obtaining rabbit dermis for tannery. Decellularization agents (EDTA, SDS, and SDC) were further applied with varying exposure times. Decellularization efficiency was confirmed through DNA quantification, and extracellular matrix (ECM) preservation evaluated by ECM components quantification, morphological analysis, swelling properties, and mechanical behavior. Biocompatibility was assessed by in vitro culturing human dermal fibroblasts (hDFs) up to 10 days. Results/Discussion: The results show pH influences the collagen matrix conformation and swelling capability. Differences in the dermis’ topography were observed depending on the decellularization agents and exposure time. Mechanical analysis revealed similar performance to human skin, especially with the SDC protocol. DNA quantification confirmed successful decellularization. In vitro, hDFs adhered, spread, and proliferate within the HP-dRDM over the 10 days of culture. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a successful protocol for rabbit dermis decellularization, preserving ECM components and yielding high-quality matrices with biological, structural, and biomechanical properties to support skin regeneration in burn wounds.
- Valorization of rabbit skin for the development of decellularized matrices for burn wound regenerationPublication . Rosadas, Marta; Sousa, Teresa; Silva, Inês V.; Sousa, Alda; Oliveira, Ana L.; Ribeiro, Viviana P.Caught in the middle of the transition to a circular economy and emergent call for sustainable solutions, the agro-food industry is undoubtedly a sector that needs action. With a significant generation of by-products, the search for reuse methods to reduce its environmental impact while enhancing its economic value is necessary. The utilization of animal tissue by-products, namely skin, emerges as a promising opportunity in the biomedical field, particularly for the development of decellularized dermal matrices (dDMs). With burns affecting 11 million people globally annually, advanced solutions like dDMs are crucial. These have revolutionized burn wound care, offering plenty of advantages compared to traditional autologous and synthetic-based treatments. This project represents a unique opportunity for valorizing rabbit skin for biomedical applications, being a valuable and abundant by-product of the world-leader felting company Cortadoria Nacional de Pêlo, S.A. Rabbit skin by-products were processed at Cortadoria Nacional de Pêlo S.A., following a set of pioneer methodologies involving chemical, enzymatic, and mechanical processing. The obtained purified rabbit dermis was further processed through selected chemical decellularization agents (SDS and SDC) with varying exposure periods, to achieve a fast and complete decellularization process with a minimum impact on dermal matrices’ microarchitecture, mechanical properties, and biochemical composition. The impact of processing methods and decellularization agents on rabbit dermal matrix (dRDM) preservation was assessed via SEM, swelling properties, and tensile behavior. Histology and DNA quantification confirmed decellularization effectiveness, while in vitro tests with human dermal fibroblasts demonstrated cytocompatibility. The matrix showed pH-responsive properties, with distinct surface characteristics that vary depending on decellularization agents and time. Mechanical tests showed effects on collagen and elastin contribution to the ECM, but overall matrix integrity was mantained. This study marks the first successful use of clean chemical methods for rabbit dermis decellularization, producing high-quality matrices for skin regeneration.