Wound dressings using electrospun nanofibers: mechanisms, applications, and future directions

Abstract

Electrospun wound dressings feature a large surface area, excellent breathability, and moisture retention, which not only support cell growth and tissue repair but also effectively protect wounds from infection. Therefore, they hold great potential for use in wound care applications. However, systematic reviews on electrospun wound dressings are limited, and there is a lack of practical experience in wound management, resulting in insufficient guidance for real-world applications. This study provides a comprehensive analysis and overview of electrospun wound dressings. First, electrospun wound dressings can be categorized into uniaxial nanofibers, core–shell nanofibers, porous nanofibers, and bead-like nanofibers based on their structural characteristics. Next, the mechanisms by which electrospun nanofibers promote wound healing are summarized. Nanofibers with different structures enhance cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation through their high specific surface area, maintenance of a moist environment, extracellular matrix mimicry, and sustained release of bioactive molecules, thus facilitating epithelialization and tissue regeneration. Additionally, optimized mechanical properties and biocompatibility improve the stability of wound support, reducing complications and inflammatory responses, which in turn significantly accelerate the healing process. Furthermore, the applications and effects of various electrospun wound dressings are reviewed, with an emphasis on the positive roles of different nanofiber structures in promoting tissue repair, maintaining a moist environment, and minimizing scarring and infection risks. Finally, a summary of the wound-healing characteristics of different nanofiber dressings is provided, highlighting the most effective wound dressings for each nanofiber type, as well as suggesting future development directions for electrospun wound dressings. This study aims to provide theoretical guidance and technical support for advancing wound healing through electrospun wound dressings.