Fabrication of a heterostructural fibrillated collagen matrix for the regeneration of soft tissue function

Abstract

Most collagen matrices used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are gels or sponges. Our goal is to prepare an artificial extracellular matrix (ECM) that possesses similar structure to the native ECM of soft tissue in order to replicate its physical and biological properties. Here, we report the preparation of collagen matrices with fibrillated structures based on the fibrillogenesis/gelling method. We focused on regenerating the function of native ECM of soft tissues by creating a multifunctional collagen. A collagen matrix is a sponge/gel composite structure which allows the cell to infiltrate only on one side of the matrix without shrinkage. This results in healing and regeneration of the tissue surrounding the matrix, similar to the native ECM in which cell infiltration occurs from one side during implantation. Furthermore, high mechanical strength can prevent deformation or shrinkage, and decelerate the degradation during the early phase of implantation, which eventually cause device failure.