# Structural characterization of recombinant humanized type III collagen cold gel and its effects on the biological functions of HaCaT cells

## TL;DR

This study characterizes a new recombinant humanized collagen gel that supports skin cell functions, showing potential for biomedical applications.

## Contribution

The novel recombinant humanized type III collagen cold gel (C3Gel) is characterized and shown to support HaCaT cell functions.

## Key findings

- C3Gel self-crosslinks into a porous network under low-temperature conditions.
- C3Gel enhances extracellular matrix microenvironment and supports HaCaT cell adhesion, proliferation, and migration.
- C3Gel exhibits favorable cytocompatibility and structural integrity consistent with theoretical expectations.

## Abstract

Recombinant humanized collagen has been widely used in the biomedical field. This study focuses on the characterization of a novel recombinant humanized type III collagen cold gel (C3Gel). To verify the structural integrity of C3Gel and explore its in vitro cytocompatibility and potential biological applications, a multi-technique approach covering composition, structure, thermal properties, and morphology was employed to perform comprehensive structural analysis. In addition, in vitro biological functional assessments were conducted using cell-based assays. The results demonstrated that the molecular weight and structural sequence of C3Gel were consistent with theoretical expectations. Under low-temperature conditions, C3Gel self-crosslinked into a porous network structure and exhibited favorable cytocompatibility. It enhanced the microenvironment of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and offered substantial structural support to HaCaT cells, which in turn facilitated their adhesion, proliferation, and migration. These findings suggest that C3Gel holds promise as a novel functional biomedical material, providing a scientific basis for further research and application of this recombinant collagen.