Development and characterization of a rapid polymerizing collagen for soft tissue augmentation

• Published in: Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A Vol. 104; no. 3; pp. 758 - 767
• Main Authors: Devore, Dale, Zhu, Jiaxun, Brooks, Robert, McCrate, Rebecca Rone, Grant, David A., Grant, Sheila A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: Animals; Assaying; Augmentation; Banding; Biocompatibility; Breakdown; characterization; Chemical synthesis; Collagen; Collagen (type I); Collagen - pharmacology; Collagen - ultrastructure; Collagenase; Collagenases - metabolism; Cross-Linking Reagents - pharmacology; Dermal fillers; Electrolytes; Electron microscopy; Fibrillogenesis; Hyaluronic Acid - pharmacology; In vivo methods and tests; in vivo studies; Injection; Injections; Ions; Irritation; Livestock; Original; Physicochemical properties; Physiology; Polymerization; Skin; Skin Irritancy Tests; Solutions; Sus scrofa; Swine; Swine, Miniature; Therapy, Soft Tissue; Time Factors; Transmission electron microscopy; collagen; in vivo studies; polymerization; characterization
• ISSN: 1549-3296; 1552-4965
• DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.35599

A liquid collagen has been developed that fibrilizes upon injection. Rapid polymerizing collagen (RPC) is a type I porcine collagen that undergoes fibrillization upon interaction with ionic solutions, such as physiological solutions. The ability to inject liquid collagen would be beneficial for many soft tissue augmentation applications. In this study, RPC was synthesized and characterized as a possible dermal filler. Transmission electron microscopy, ion induced RPC fibrillogenesis tests, collagenase resistance assay, and injection force studies were performed to assess RPC's physicochemical properties. An in vivo study was performed which consisted of a 1‐, 3‐, and 6‐month study where RPC was injected into the ears of miniature swine. The results demonstrated that the liquid RPC requires low injection force (<7 N); fibrillogenesis and banding of collagen occurs when RPC is injected into ionic solutions, and RPC has enhanced resistance to collagenase breakdown. The in vivo study demonstrated long‐term biocompatibility with low irritation scores. In conclusion RPC possesses many of the desirable properties of a soft tissue augmentation material. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 758–767, 2016.