Research unveils mussel protein-based tissue regeneration for scarless skin grafting

27 Jun 2022 --- A South Korea-based Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) research team has created a bioadhesive based on the mussel adhesive protein (MAP) that promotes rapid wound healing with little scarring.

This adhesive can efficiently revive skin after skin transplantation without the need for sutures. In particular, there was little loss of hair follicles in the transplanted area while collagen and different essential skin factor levels were successfully restored.

The study team created the bioadhesive by combining allantoin and epidermal growth factor with a coacervate of mussel adhesive protein.

“We used the mussel adhesive protein – a biomaterial that originated in Korea – in the newly developed bioadhesive for skin grafting that resulted in minimal scarring and promoted skin regeneration,” says Hyung Joon Cha, study author and professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology.

“This new system will be effectively applied to transplant various affected areas requiring tissue regeneration.”

The bioadhesive promotes re-epithelialization and collagen deposition while simultaneously preventing scar formation.After applying this bioadhesive, allantoin and epidermal growth factor drugs are released – according to the stage of the wound healing process. As the procedure uses mussel adhesive protein, a biomaterial, this bioadhesive has the advantage of leaving less scarring on the wound site than sutures and is safe for use on humans.

Accelerated wound healing
The study was supported by the Health Technology Research and Development Project of the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Korea. According to researchers, scarring after surgery and the regeneration of transplanted skin are the two main concerns for patients receiving skin grafts.

Depending on the expertise of the medical professionals doing the skin grafting, the extent of scarring after suturing might vary. Wound healing at the suture site can take longer than a month.

The study’s findings show that the wound area recovered more quickly by using the adhesive instead of other treatments.

The sutureless skin graft medical adhesive can load and release two wound-healing drugs – allantoin and epidermal growth factor (Credit: POSTECH).Researchers add that severe scars necessitate a lengthy recovery period, increasing the risk of wound infections or graft contraction. Therefore, the suggested dual-drug-in-bioadhesive coacervate is a good candidate for sutureless full-thickness skin grafting and may suit the needs of the wound healing process.

Skin regeneration moves
Industry players have started using skin regeneration techniques and “scarless” wound healing processes.

PersonalCareInsights previously reported on a US-based Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation research that shows a flexible, antibacterial hydrogel-ePatch allows for tailored, high-efficiency wound healing. Additionally, a Japanese University study found scarless skin wound healing may be possible after surgical procedures, through an animal study.

In other developments, a UK-based University of Bristol study unveiled that protein p53 can accelerate tissue repair due to its impact on epithelial migration, increasing wound healing duration.

Meanwhile, L’Oréal and Symatese expanded their partnership on biomaterials designed to create reconstructed human tissue for skin regeneration processes.

By Nicole Kerr