The Durability of Elastin-Incorporated Collagen Matrix for Dermal Substitute in Vitro Condition

Lew, Dae Hyun; Hong, Jong Won; Tark, Kwan Chul

Abstract

PURPOSE: Since the report of artificial dermis manufacturing method using collagen by Yannas in 1980, collagen has been effectively used as dermal substitute with its merits such as, lower antigeneicity, controllable biodegradation rate, and minimal inflammatory cytotoxic properties in the dermal tissue engineering field. However, weak mechanical durability was the main drawback of collagen dermal substitute. To improve its stability, mechanical or chemical cross-linking was used. Despite of such process, its clinical use was restricted due to weak durability. To improve the durability of collagen matrix, we designed elastin-incorporated collagen matrix and compared its durability with conventional collagen matrix.
METHODS
15mm diameter with 4mm thick collagen dermal matrix was made according to Yannas protocol by mixing 0.5% bovine collagen and chondroitin-6- sulfate followed by degassing, freeze drying, dehydrodermal cross-linking and chemical cross-linking procedure. In elastin incorporated collagen matrix, same procedure was performed by mixing elastin to previous collagen matrix in 4:1 ratio(collagen 80% elastin 20%). In comparison of the two dermal matrix in vitro tests, matrix contracture rate, strain, tensile strength, was measured and stiffness was calculated from comparative analysis.
RESULTS
In terms of matrix contracture, the elastin- incorperated added collagen dermis matrix showed 1.2 times more contraction compared to conventional collagen matrix. However, tensile strength showed 1.6 times and stiffness showed 1.6 times increase in elastin- incorporated matrix.
CONCLUSION
Elastin incorperated collagen matrix manufactured by our team showed increased durability due to improvement in tensile strength and stiffness compared to previous collagen matrix(Integra(R)).