The effects of cross-linking a collagen-elastin dermal template on scaffold bio-stability and degradation

Joanneke Maitz; Yiwei Wang; Ali Fathi; Francia Ximena Escobar; Roxanne Parungao; Paul van Zuijlen; Peter Maitz; Zhe Li

doi:10.1002/term.3082

The effects of cross-linking a collagen-elastin dermal template on scaffold bio-stability and degradation

J Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2020 Sep;14(9):1189-1200. doi: 10.1002/term.3082. Epub 2020 Jul 28.

Authors

Joanneke Maitz¹, Yiwei Wang^{1

2}, Ali Fathi³, Francia Ximena Escobar¹, Roxanne Parungao¹, Paul van Zuijlen^{4

5}, Peter Maitz^{1

6

2}, Zhe Li^{1

6

2}

Affiliations

¹ Burn Injury and Reconstructive Surgery Research Group, ANZAC Research Institute, Concord, New South Wales, Australia.
² Disciplines of Surgery, University of Sydney Concord Clinical School, Concord, New South Wales, Australia.
³ Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.
⁴ Burn Centre and Dept. of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Red Cross Hospital, Beverwijk, the Netherlands.
⁵ Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, NH, the Netherlands.
⁶ Burns Unit, Concord Hospital, Concord, New South Wales, Australia.

PMID: 32721107
DOI: 10.1002/term.3082

Abstract

MatriDerm is a collagen-elastin dermal template that promotes regeneration in full-thickness wound repair. Due to its noncross-linked status, MatriDerm biodegrades quickly in a wound. Facilitating vascularization and dermal repair, it is desirable for MatriDerm to remain present until the wound healing process is complete, optimizing tissue regeneration and reducing wound contraction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cross-linking MatriDerm on its mechanical and biological properties and to enhance its regenerative functionality. MatriDerm was chemically cross-linked and characterized in comparison with noncross-linked MatriDerm. Scaffold properties including surface morphology, protein release and mechanical strength were assessed. Cell-scaffold interaction, cell proliferation and migration were examined using human dermal fibroblasts. Scaffold biodegradation and its impact on wound healing and contraction were studied in a mouse model. Results showed that cross-linked MatriDerm displayed a small reduction in pore size, significantly less protein loss and a threefold increase in tensile strength. A significant increase in fibroblast proliferation and migration was observed in cross-linked MatriDerm with reduced scaffold contraction in vitro. In the mouse model, noncross-linked MatriDerm was almost completely biodegraded after 14 days whereas cross-linked MatriDerm remained intact. No significant difference in wound contraction was found between scaffolds. In conclusion, cross-linked MatriDerm showed a significant increase in stability and strength, enhancing its durability and cell-scaffold interaction. in vivo analysis showed cross-linked MatriDerm had a reduced biodegradation rate with a similar host response. The extended structural integrity of cross-linked MatriDerm could potentially facilitate improved skin tissue regeneration, promoting the formation of a more pliable scar.

Keywords: collagen-elastin scaffold; cross-linking; degradation; human dermal fibroblasts; mouse model; skin regeneration.

MeSH terms

Animals
Cattle
Cell Movement / drug effects
Cell Proliferation / drug effects
Collagen / pharmacology*
Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry*
Dermis / drug effects*
Elastin / pharmacology*
Fibroblasts / cytology
Fibroblasts / drug effects
Humans
Male
Mice, Inbred BALB C
Models, Animal
Neovascularization, Physiologic / drug effects
Porosity
Tensile Strength
Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry*

Substances

Cross-Linking Reagents
Collagen
Elastin