Biomaterial scaffold-based gene delivery for the repair of complex wounds: Challenges, progress, and future perspectives

Abstract

Biomaterial scaffolds play a crucial role in enhancing wound repair by offering structural support, promoting cell proliferation, and tissue formation. When combined with gene therapy, these scaffolds may become powerful tools for wound healing, enabling the localized delivery of therapeutic genes that stimulate tissue regeneration. While in a nascent stage of translation, gene-activated scaffolds may hold considerable potential for providing solutions, particularly for chronic and complex wounds that are difficult to treat with conventional methods. This review highlights recent progress in scaffold-mediated gene delivery for wound healing, emphasizing the design and development of a range of natural, synthetic, and hybrid biomaterials tailored to support tissue regeneration. We assess the impact of gene-based therapies in the treatment of skin pathologies, which has led to the emergence and approval of innovative therapeutic options. Finally, we delve into the current state of the art in gene-activated scaffolds, offering insights into the future directions and the potential for clinical translation of these cutting-edge approaches.