Burn-related Collagen Conformational Changes in ex vivo Porcine Skin using Raman Spectroscopy

Sci Rep. 2019 Dec 16;9(1):19138. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-55012-1.

Abstract

This study utilizes Raman spectroscopy to analyze the burn-induced collagen conformational changes in ex vivo porcine skin tissue. Raman spectra of wavenumbers 500-2000 cm-1 were measured for unburnt skin as well as four different burn conditions: (i) 200 °F for 10 s, (ii) 200 °F for the 30 s, (iii) 450 °F for 10 s and (iv) 450 °F for 30 s. The overall spectra reveal that protein and amino acids-related bands have manifested structural changes including the destruction of protein-related functional groups, and transformation from α-helical to disordered structures which are correlated with increasing burn severity. The deconvolution of the amide I region (1580-1720 cm-1) and the analysis of the sub-bands reveal a change of the secondary structure of the collagen from the α-like helix dominated to the β-aggregate dominated one. Such conformational changes may explain the softening of mechanical response in burnt tissues reported in the literature.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amides / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Burns / metabolism*
  • Collagen / chemistry*
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Skin / pathology*
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman*
  • Swine

Substances

  • Amides
  • Collagen