Hydrogel Loaded with Components for Therapeutic Applications in Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids

Abstract

Hypertrophic scars and keloids are common fibroproliferative diseases following injury. Patients with pathologic scars suffer from impaired quality of life and psychological health due to appearance disfiguration, itch, pain, and movement disorders. Recently, the advancement of hydrogels in biomedical fields has brought a variety of novel materials, methods and therapeutic targets for treating hypertrophic scars and keloids, which exhibit broad prospects. This review has summarized current research on hydrogels and loaded components used in preventing and treating hypertrophic scars and keloids. These hydrogels attenuate keloid and hypertrophic scar formation and progression by loading organic chemicals, drugs, or bioactive molecules (such as growth factors, genes, proteins/peptides, and stem cells/exosomes). Among them, smart hydrogels (a very promising method for loading many types of bioactive components) are currently favoured by researchers. In addition, combining hydrogels and current therapy (such as laser or radiation therapy, etc.) could improve the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids. Then, the difficulties and limitations of the current research and possible suggestions for improvement are listed. Moreover, we also propose novel strategies for facilitating the construction of target multifunctional hydrogels in the future.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• hydrogel
• wound healing
• hypertrophic scar
• keloid

Data Sharing Statement

Data sharing is not applicable to this article, as no datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare they have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82073019, 82073018 and 82202851), Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission, China (Natural Science Foundation of Shenzhen), (JCYJ20210324113001005, JCYJ20210324114212035, JCYJ20220530151817038). This work was supported by Grant No. from the National Natural Science Foundation and Grant No. from Shenzhen Science and Technology Planning Project.