[Abstract]

Skin scarring after deep dermal injuries is a major clinical problem due to the current therapies limited to
established scars with poor understanding of healing mechanisms. From investigation of aberrations
within the extracellular matrix involved in pathophysiologic scarring, it was revealed that one of the
main factors responsible for impaired healing is abnormal collagen reorganization. Here, inspired by the
fundamental roles of decorin, a collagen-targeting proteoglycan, in collagen remodeling, we created a
scar-preventive collagen-targeting glue consisting of a newly designed collagen-binding mussel adhesive
protein and a specific glycosaminoglycan. The collagen-targeting glue specifically bound to type I
collagen in a dose-dependent manner and regulated the rate and the degree of fibrillogenesis. In a rat
skin excisional model, the collagen-targeting glue successfully accelerated initial wound regeneration as
defined by effective reepithelialization, neovascularization, and rapid collagen synthesis. Moreover, the
improved dermal collagen architecture was demonstrated by uniform size of collagen fibrils, their regular
packing, and a restoration of healthy tissue component. Collectively, our natural healing-inspired
collagen-targeting glue may be a promising therapeutic option for improving the healing rate with
high-quality and effective scar inhibition.

 

Doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.04.041
Link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0142961217302788