The cytocompatibility, in vivo biodegradation and wound healing of keratin biomaterials were investigated. For
the purposes, three groups of keratin scaffolds were fabricated by freeze-drying reduced solutions at 2 wt.%,
4 wt.% and 8 wt.% keratins extracted from human hairs. These scaffolds exhibited evenly distributed high porous
structures with pore size of 120–220 μmand the porosity>90%. NIH3T3 cells proliferatedwell on these scaffolds
in culture lasting up to 22 days. Confocal micrographs stained with AO visually revealed cell attachment and
infiltration as well as scaffold architectural stability. In vivo animal experiments were conducted with 4 wt.%
keratin scaffolds. Early degradation of subcutaneously implanted scaffolds occurred at 3 weeks in the outermost
surface, in concomitantwith inflammatory response. At 5 weeks, the overall porous structure of scaffolds severely
deteriorated while the early inflammatory response in the outermost surface obviously subsided. A faster
keratin biodegradation was observed in repairing full-thickness skin defects. Compared with the blank control,
keratin scaffolds gave rise to more blood vessels at 2 weeks and better complete wound repair at 3 weeks
with a thicker epidermis, less contraction and newly formed hair follicles. These preliminary results suggest
that human hair keratin scaffolds are promising dermal substitutes for skin regeneration.