Rapid Fabrication of Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogel Foams With Encapsulated Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Chronic Wound Treatment

Chronic wounds present a major healthcare challenge around the world, and significant hurdles remain in their effective treatment due to limitations in accessible treatment options. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with multifunctional differentiation and modulatory properties have been delivered to chronic wounds to enhance closure but have limited engraftment when delivered without a scaffold. In this study, hybrid porous hydrogel foams composed of modified polyvinyl alcohol and gelatin were developed that are suitable for rapid and facile MSC encapsulation, fully degradable, and supportive of wound healing. Rapid fabrication and encapsulation within porous foams was achieved using a cytocompatible gas blowing process. The hybrid hydrogels have tunable degradation rates based on chemistry, with complete mass loss achieved within 2–6 weeks, which is compatible with chronic wound closure rates. High encapsulated A375 epithelial cell and MSC viability with maintained cell functionality over 2 weeks reveals the potential of these hydrogels to serve as cell delivery systems for chronic wound treatment. An ex vivo porcine skin wound model demonstrated enhanced healing after application of cell-laden hydrogel foams. Overall, hybrid hydrogel foams with encapsulated therapeutic cells have the capacity for robust wound healing and are a promising platform for chronic wound dressings.