Physiochemical and Biological Properties of Modified Collagen Sponge from Porcine Skin

The aim of the present study was to compare one-step method to EDC/NHS crosslinking （EDC/NHS group） and one-step simultaneous method to EDC/NHS crosslinking and heparin immobilization （EDC/NHS- Heparin group） in improving physiochemical and biological properties of native collagen sponge （Control group）. Modified collagen sponge overcome the disadvantages of native collagen sponge. IR spectra suggest the change of the functional groups. DSC data indicate that the stability of caloric transformation in EDC/NHS group is slightly higher than that of EDC/NHS-Heparin group. The crosslinking degree, stability against enzymes, stability in morphologically and biomechanical properties of EDC/NHS-Heparin group are higher than those of EDC/NHS group, whereas, the water-binding capacity in EDC/NHS-Heparin group is lower than that of EDC/NHS group. HUVECs in EDC/NHS-Heparin group scaffold proliferate fast, migrate well and distribute uniformly. One-step simultaneous method gains the better effects in above aspects, heparinized collagen matrices increase in angiogenic potential and suit for defect repairing and tissue engineering.

Proliferation and tenogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in a porous collagen sponge scaffold

BACKGROUND Collagen is one of the most commonly used natural biomaterials for tendon tissue engineering.One of the possible practical ways to further enhance tendon repair is to combine a porous collagen sponge scaffold with a suitable growth factor or cytokine that has an inherent ability to promote the recruitment,proliferation,and tenogenic differentiation of cells.However,there is an incomplete understanding of which growth factors are sufficient and optimal for the tenogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)in a collagen sponge-based 3D culture system.AIM To identify one or more ideal growth factors that benefit the proliferation and tenogenic differentiation of rat BMSCs in a porous collagen sponge scaffold.METHODS We constructed a 3D culture system based on a type I collagen sponge scaffold.The surface topography of the collagen sponge scaffold was observed by scanning electron microscopy.Primary BMSCs were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats.Cell survival on the surfaces of the scaffolds with different growth factors was assessed by live/dead assay and CCK-8 assay.The mRNA and protein expression levels were confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot,respectively.The deposited collagen was assessed by Sirius Red staining.RESULTS Transforming growth factorβ1(TGF-β1)showed great promise in the tenogenic differentiation of BMSCs compared to growth differentiation factor 7(GDF-7)and insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1)in both the 2D and 3D cultures,and the 3D culture enhanced the differentiation of BMSCs into tenocytes well beyond the level of induction in the 2D culture after TGF-β1 treatment.In the 2D culture,the proliferation of the BMSCs showed no significant changes compared to the control group after TGF-β1,IGF-1,or GDF-7 treatment.However,TGF-β1 and GDF-7 could increase the cell proliferation in the 3D culture.Strangely,we also found more dead cells in the BMSC-collagen sponge constructs that were treated with TGF-β1.Moreover,TGF-β1 promoted more collagen deposition in both the 2D and 3D cultures.CONCLUSION Collagen sponge-based 3D culture with TGF-β1 enhances the responsiveness of the proliferation and tenogenic differentiation of rat BMSCs.

Design of Collagen-Based Sponge Device for Use in Oral Surgery

This study aims to develop various types of collagen devices for use in oral surgery. The targets are the sheet-shaped sponges to cover mucosal defect wounds (product-1) and gingival defect wounds (product-2) and the cylindrical sponge to fill tooth extraction sockets (product-3). The sheet-shaped sponges were manufactured by freeze-vacuum drying the aqueous solution of collagen (Col) and heat-denatured collagen (Col’) at a composition ratio of 2/1, 1/1 or 1/2. Both surfaces of the sheet-shaped sponge were treated by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for 5, 10 or 15 minutes to introduce intermolecular crosslinks between collagen molecules. The elution behavior of each collagen sponge was investigated by immersing the sponge in water for a predetermined time and then by measuring the weight change. The collagen sponge composed of Col and Col’ with a composition ratio of 2/1 that was treated by UV irradiation for 15 minutes showed very slow elution properties. This sheet-shaped sponge is the top candidate for product-1. The collagen sponge composed of Col and Col’ with a composition ratio of 2/1 that was treated by UV irradiation for 5 minutes showed slightly fast elution properties. This sheet-shaped sponge is the top candidate for product-2. Next, the cylindrical sponge was manufactured by freeze-vacuum drying the aqueous solution of Col and Col’ at a composition ratio of 2/1. Both sides of the cylindrical sponge were treated by UV irradiation for 15 minutes. This sponge showed initially fast elution properties and subsequent very slow elution properties. This cylindrical sponge is a good candidate for product-3. As a basic design, the sheet-shaped sponge and the cylindrical sponge should be biodegraded and absorbed by the time new tissue formation is completed.

NIR-responsive Collagen-based Sponge Coated with Polydimethylsiloxane/Candle Soot for Oil-Water Separation

To fabricate an oil-water separation material that is rich in source,eco-friendly,and responsive,in this study,we successfully developed a collagen-based sponge for application to oil-water separation based on a green and facile strategy.In this design,widely-available collagen(COL)was used as the substrate:it was immersed in polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS)suspension with candle soot(CS)nanoparticles,followed by hot curing.The resultant sponge(CS/PDMS-COL)possessed good hydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 148.3°under a low PDMS concentration of 2%.The results from field emission scanning electron microscope,Fourier transform infrared spectrometer,X-ray photoelectron spectrometer,and X-ray diffractometry demonstrated the successful coating of CS and PDMS on the surface of COL substrate.The CS/PDMS-COL can adsorb eight oils,with the adsorption capacity for trichloromethane reaching 95 g/g.With benzene as the target adsorbent,the separation efficiency was maintained at no less than 95%even after recycling 20 times.CS/PDMS-COL was also used to separate oil-in-water emulsion.Moreover,the sponge killed bacteria effectively due to its excellent near-infrared photothermal responsiveness.This study provides new insight into the preparation of facile oil-water separation materials based on naturally occurring biomaterials effortlessly.

Design of Collagen-Based Hemostatic Material for Use in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

This study aims to develop collagen-based hemostatic materials. The sheet-shaped collagen sponge was manufactured by freeze-vacuum drying the aqueous solution of collagen (Col) and heat-denatured collagen (Col’) at a composition ratio of 2/1. The both sides or one side of sponge was treated with ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for 15 minutes to introduce intermolecular crosslinks between collagen molecules. The elution behavior of collagen sponge was investigated by immersing the sponge in water for a predetermined time and then by measuring the weight change. The double-sided UV-irradiated sponge showed very slow elution properties. On the other hand, the single-sided UV-irradiated sponge showed initially fast elution and subsequent very slow elution properties. Such initially fast elution of collagen molecules from the surface without UV-irradiation allows an adhesion of collagen sponge to the wound surface and results in hemostatic effect. In addition, the water absorption and retention properties of sponge were investigated by placing the hydrated sponge on a mesh for a predetermined time and then by measuring the weight change. The double-sided UV-irradiated sponge absorbed 81 times more water than own weight and showed a value of 45 times even after 7 days. The single-sided UV-irradiated sponge absorbed 80 times more water than own weight and showed a value of 39 times even after 7 days. The sponge with high water absorption and retention properties allows a wound healing effect because such sponge can absorb large amounts of blood plasma and exudates containing various cell growth factors. The double-sided UV-irradiated sponge is a good candidate for the wound dressing. On the other hand, the single-sided UV-irradiated sponge is a good candidate for the hemostatic material.