In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of a Composite Electrospun Matrix as a Dermal Scaffold: Cell Behavior and Full-Thickness Wound Repair

An effective dermal scaffold is expected to provide a three-dimensional porous architecture that supports fibroblast adhesion, infiltration, and proliferation; evolve structurally to meet the progressive physiological needs of the entire healing process; and absorb without adverse tissue response during tissue repair. This study evaluates a fully synthetic absorbable composite electrospun matrix comprising three polymer components within a single fiber network, each contributing a distinct yet complementary function. Poloxamer 188 provides immediate wettability and conformability; PLGA undergoes progressive hydrolytic degradation over days, enlarging pore dimensions through fiber cleavage; and polydioxanone, as the slowest-degrading component, maintains the fiber network throughout this structural remodeling process. The matrix achieved instantaneous wetting and 91% maximum pore-equivalent diameter enlargement within 7 days, creating a microenvironment associated with progressive cellular accommodation. In vitro, fibroblasts adhered, remained fully viable, and exhibited Day-1 spreading on the 7-day pre-degraded matrices approaching that observed at Day 3 on fresh matrices, consistent with the evolving pore architecture facilitating initial cellular accommodation. In a splinted rat full-thickness wound model, the matrix accelerated wound-area reduction versus the control (Day 14: p < 0.001; Day 21: p < 0.01), was macroscopically undetectable by Day 14, and elicited no adverse foreign-body reaction. Quantitative collagen area fraction analysis (Masson’s trichrome) revealed significantly greater collagen content in the scaffold group at Day 7 (p < 0.05) and Day 28 (p < 0.01) relative to the control, suggesting that the composite matrix provides favorable conditions for collagen accumulation that persists into the remodeling phase. These findings demonstrate that the matrix functions as an effective dermal scaffold by providing an evolving pore architecture that supports fibroblast adhesion and accommodation, accelerating full-thickness repair throughout the healing trajectory, and undergoing safe absorption without adverse reactions, thereby highlighting its promising translational potential for clinical wound management.