Collagen‐based biomaterials for biomedical applications

• Published in: Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials Vol. 109; no. 12; pp. 1986 - 1999
• Main Authors: Rezvani Ghomi, Erfan, Nourbakhsh, Nooshin, Akbari Kenari, Mahsa, Zare, Mina, Ramakrishna, Seeram
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.12.2021; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: 3D printing; Animals; Antiinfectives and antibacterials; Biocompatibility; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Biocompatible Materials - pharmacology; Biodegradability; Biodegradation; biomaterial; Biomaterials; biomedical applications; Biomedical materials; Collagen; Collagen (type I); Collagen - chemistry; Collagen - pharmacology; Extracellular matrix; Fabrication; Humans; Materials research; Materials science; Mechanical properties; Medical equipment; Printing, Three-Dimensional; Supplements; Three dimensional printing; Tissue engineering; Tissue Engineering - methods; Tissue Scaffolds - chemistry; Wound healing; collagen; tissue engineering; biomaterial; biomedical applications; 3D printing
• ISSN: 1552-4973; 1552-4981; 1552-4981
• DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.34881

Collagen is an insoluble fibrous protein that composes the extracellular matrix in animals. Although collagen has been used as a biomaterial since 1881, the properties and the complex structure of collagen are still extensive study subjects worldwide. In this article, several topics of importance for understanding collagen research are reviewed starting from its historical milestones, followed by the description of the collagen superfamily and its complex structures, with a focus on type I collagen. Subsequently, some of the superior properties of collagen‐based biomaterials, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, mechanical properties, and cell activities, are pinpointed. These properties make collagen applicable in biomedicine, such as wound healing, tissue engineering, surface coating of medical devices, and skin supplementation. Moreover, some antimicrobial strategies and the general host tissue responses regarding collagen as a biomaterial are presented. Finally, the current status and clinical application of the three‐dimensional (3D) printing techniques for the fabrication of collagen‐based scaffolds and the reconstruction of the human heart's constituents, such as capillary structures or even the entire organ, are discussed. Besides, an overall outlook for the future of this unique biomaterial is provided.