Designing a dual-function skin-stretching device with 3D printing for mechanotransduction analysis and scar prevention: A preliminary study

Xiaoyi Wu; Heng Chen; Tianhao Luo; Zhuo Wang; Zequan Wei; Lin Li; Xuewen Yang; Guodong Sa; Guoliang Sa

Materials & Design (Aug 2022)

Designing a dual-function skin-stretching device with 3D printing for mechanotransduction analysis and scar prevention: A preliminary study

Xiaoyi Wu,
Heng Chen,
Tianhao Luo,
Zhuo Wang,
Zequan Wei,
Lin Li,
Xuewen Yang,
Guodong Sa,
Guoliang Sa

Affiliations

Xiaoyi Wu: The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430070, China
Heng Chen: The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430070, China
Tianhao Luo: The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430070, China
Zhuo Wang: The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430070, China
Zequan Wei: The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430070, China
Lin Li: The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430070, China
Xuewen Yang: The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430070, China; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430070, China; Corresponding authors at: The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430070, China (X. Yang and G. Sa). Ningbo Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Ningbo 315000, China (Guodong Sa).
Guodong Sa: Ningbo Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Ningbo 315000, China; School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China; NingboTech University, Ningbo 315000, China; Corresponding authors at: The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430070, China (X. Yang and G. Sa). Ningbo Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Ningbo 315000, China (Guodong Sa).
Guoliang Sa: The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430070, China; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430070, China; Corresponding authors at: The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430070, China (X. Yang and G. Sa). Ningbo Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Ningbo 315000, China (Guodong Sa).

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 220
p. 110862

Abstract

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Developing a dual-function skin-stretching device is beneficial for skin mechanotransduction analysis and wound healing applications. In this study, a dual-function skin-stretching device was designed based on three-dimensional (3D) printing, which can be fixed on rat skin for skin stretching and tension-relieving tests. During the skin stretching assay, a piece of skin was pulled outward by applying a mechanical load, the magnitude of which could be studied by force analysis. In the tension-relieving assay, skin wound edges could be pulled to the opposite side to accelerate wound closure. The skin-stretching device could exert forces of varying magnitudes (0.0042–0.0113 N) on the skin, leading to variations in the histological features of the skin epithelium. Western blot indicated that the protein levels of the mechanosensitive molecule yes-associated protein (YAP) were positively associated with the mechanical strength exerted on the skin. The tension-relieving assay demonstrated that the scores and cross-sectional size of skin scars decreased by fixing the skin-stretching device to the skin. Collectively, we developed a skin-stretching device that could potentially exert a dual force on rat skin, providing a potential method to analyze the molecular mechanism of mechanotransduction during stretch-induced skin growth and promote skin wound healing with a minor scar.

Published in Materials & Design

ISSN: 0264-1275 (Print); 1873-4197 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/materials-and-design

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