Collagen-Based Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering Applications

Abstract

Collagen is the most widely distributed class of proteins in the human body. The use of collagen-based biomaterials in the field of tissue engineering applications has been intensively growing over the past decades. Multiple cross-linking methods were investigated and different combinations with other biopolymers were explored in order to improve tissue function. Collagen possesses a major advantage in being biodegradable, biocompatible, easily available and highly versatile. However, since collagen is a protein, it remains difficult to sterilize without alterations to its structure. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the various applications of collagen-based biomaterials developed for tissue engineering, aimed at providing a functional material for use in regenerative medicine from the laboratory bench to the patient bedside.

Structure and mechanical properties of selected protective systems in marine organisms

“…3c) [26] that finally agglomerate into collagen fibers with diameters of 0.5 to 3 μm (Fig. 3d) [16]. The offset of the tropocollagen molecules, diagramed in Fig.…”

“…Collagen is one of the most important biopolymers found throughout the metazoan diversity and is the basic component in skin, tendon, bone and cartilage [2,16]. While there are no fewer than 29 different collagen types, the majority of collagen found in organisms (~90% of collagen found in the human body) is type I collagen [16].…”

“…While there are no fewer than 29 different collagen types, the majority of collagen found in organisms (~90% of collagen found in the human body) is type I collagen [16]. Within marine organisms, type I collagen has been extracted from the tissue of sea urchins [17,18], octopus [19], starfish [20], jellyfish [21,22] and a number of fish species [23][24][25].…”

“…(a) Triple helix segments; (b) tropocollagen molecules; (c) assembled collagen fibrils with the characteristic periodic 67 nm spacing highlighted; (d) collagen fibers assembled from multiple collagen fibrils; (e) atomic force micrograph of a collagen fibril from fish scales with the characteristic spacing highlighted. Adapted from: (a)-(d) [16], (e) [29]. Adapted from: (a) [30,209], (b) [30], (c) [30,210].…”

Hydrogels based on collagen and fibrin – frontiers and applications

“…This collagen tube consists of crosslinked collagen which supports axonal growth across a nerve gap [91]. Another example of collagen application in nerve regeneration is DuraGen ® from INTEGRA™.…”