Micropatterned Composite Membrane Guides Oriented Cell Growth and Vascularization for Accelerating Wound Healing

The study explored the use of gelatin–polycaprolactone/silk fibroin composite membranes with micropatterns to enhance wound healing. Researchers fabricated membranes with line, grid, and plane micropatterns using photolithography. In vitro experiments showed that line micropatterns guided cell-oriented growth and increased the expression of angiogenesis-related markers and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). In a rat model with full-thickness skin defects, these line micropatterned membranes enhanced α-SMA production and neovascularization, accelerating wound contraction and healing. The findings suggested that composite membranes with specific micropatterns could be effective materials for wound repair and highlighted the significance of biomaterial surface topology in tissue regeneration.