Collagen Alignment via Electro-Compaction for Biofabrication Applications: A Review

Abstract

As the most prevalent structural protein in the extracellular matrix, collagen has been extensively investigated for biofabrication-based applications. However, its utilisation has been impeded due to a lack of sufficient mechanical toughness and the inability of the scaffold to mimic complex natural tissues. The anisotropic alignment of collagen fibres has been proven to be an effective method to enhance its overall mechanical properties and produce biomimetic scaffolds. This review introduces the complicated scenario of collagen structure, fibril arrangement, type, function, and in addition, distribution within the body for the enhancement of collagen-based scaffolds. We describe and compare existing approaches for the alignment of collagen with a sharper focus on electro-compaction. Additionally, various effective processes to further enhance electro-compacted collagen, such as crosslinking, the addition of filler materials, and post-alignment fabrication techniques, are discussed. Finally, current challenges and future directions for the electro-compaction of collagen are presented, providing guidance for the further development of collagenous scaffolds for bioengineering and nanotechnology.

Efficacy and safety of undenatured type II collagen in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a multicenter, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial

“…В настоящее время, основываясь на историческом порядке их открытия, идентифицированы и описаны 28 типов коллагенов -от I до XXVIII, которые отличаются друг от друга молекулярным составом, а также надмолекулярной организацией во внеклеточном матриксе [16][17][18][19].…”

Collagen Supplementation for Joint Health: The Link between Composition and Scientific Knowledge

“…Knowledge about collagen has been exponentially increased in the past decades. Whereas scientific community in the 1970s talked about only four types of genetically distinct collagens [ 23 ], at present it is generally accepted that collagen superfamily comprises up to 28 members that differ from each other in molecular composition as well as in their supramolecular organization within the ECM [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. The occurrence of an additional collagen type, called collagen XXIX, has been also claimed by some authors [ 28 , 29 ], although, given that COL29A1 gene was shown to be identical to the COL6A5 gene and that the a1(XXIX) chain corresponds to the a5(VI) [ 30 ], collagen XXIX is not generally accepted as a genetically distinct family [ 24 ].…”

“…Depending on their supramolecular organization, collagen types can be additionally assorted in different families such as fibril-forming collagens, basement membrane collagens or microfibrillar collagens, among others [ 10 , 25 ].…”

Continuous electro-growth of a hierarchically structured hydrogel on a non-conductive surface

“…Electrodeposition has unique advantages in the construction of charged biological molecular hydrogels due to its simple operation and mild reaction conditions. 27,30 Hydrogels of cellulose, 33 alginate, 34,35 chitosan 28,31 and collagen [36][37][38] can be fabricated by electrodeposition. The deposited hydrogels are formed directly on the electrodes, which suffer from harsh pH changes and structural damage caused by in situ generated air bubbles.…”