Protease-sensitive atelocollagen hydrogels promote healing in a diabetic wound model

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that protease-sensitive atelocollagen hydrogels significantly enhance wound healing in diabetic mice, showing high closure rates and tissue regeneration, with potential for personalized wound care applications.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel protease-inhibiting collagen hydrogel that effectively promotes healing in diabetic wounds, advancing material design for clinical wound management.

Findings

Hydrogels reduced MMP-9 activity by nearly 50% in vitro.

Achieved 99% wound closure in diabetic mouse model.

Hydrogels showed less than 20% weight loss over 20 days.

Abstract

The design of exudate-managing wound dressings is an established route to accelerated healing, although such design remains a challenge from material and manufacturing standpoints. Aiming towards the clinical translation of knowledge gained in vitro with highly swollen rat tail collagen hydrogels, this study investigated the healing capability in a diabetic mouse wound model of telopeptide-free, protease-inhibiting collagen networks. 4 vinylbenzylation and UV irradiation of type I atelocollagen (AC) led to hydrogel networks with chemical and macroscopic properties comparable to previous collagen analogues, attributable to similar lysine content and dichroic properties. After 4 days in vitro, hydrogels induced nearly 50 RFU% reduction in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 activity, whilst showing less than 20 wt.-% weight loss. After 20 days in vivo, dry networks promoted 99% closure of 10x10 mm full thickness wounds and accelerated neodermal tissue formation compared to Mepilex. This collagen system can be equipped with multiple, customisable properties and functions key to personalised chronic wound care.