1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 -eluting nanofibrous dressings induce endogenous antimicrobial peptide expression

The aim of this study was to develop a nanofiber-based dressing capable of local sustained delivery of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH) D ) and augmenting human CAMP induction. Nanofibrous wound dressings containing 1,25(OH) D were successfully prepared by electrospinning, which were examined in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo. 1,25(OH) D was successfully loaded into nanofibers with encapsulation efficiency larger than 90%. 1,25(OH) D showed a sustained release from nanofibers over 4 weeks. Treatment of U937 and HaCaT cells with 1,25(OH) D -loaded poly(ϵ-caprolactone) nanofibers significantly induced hCAP18/LL37 expression in monocytes and keratinocytes, skin wounds of humanized transgenic mice and artificial wounds of human skin explants. 1,25(OH) D containing nanofibrous dressings could enhance innate immunity by inducing antimicrobial peptide production.