ABSTRACT

The research and development of cotton-based wound dressings based on a molecular mechanism of action for development of an active chronic wound dressing is presented. The research prototype for sequestration of destructive protease from chronic wound fluid is based on a peptide conjugate of cellulose consisting of an enzyme active site recognition sequence (Val-Pro-Val that possesses affinity for the active site of human neutrophil elastase. This prototype cellulose conjugate demonstrated elastase lowering activity, and prompted development of a cotton-based dressing that was constructed with molecular design of the fiber using aqueous finishing techniques that can be economically adapted for the textile mill production of the active wound dressing. During the course of the development of the dressing issues concerning the selective activity of the dressing in the presence of the wound proteins prompted alternative design considerations. This report constitutes an update on the progress towards commercialization of the active wound dressings.