Scalable multi-layer collagen laminates for regenerative medicine

Abstract

In regenerative medicine, the demand for biomaterials with customizable properties to address diverse clinical challenges is steadily increasing. Collagen-based scaffolds offer significant promise for tissue engineering applications. This study presents a novel 5-layer collagen laminate engineered to facilitate both infection control and bone and tissue regeneration in open bone fractures. The laminate employs a layering strategy with rose bengal and green light-induced crosslinking to facilitate assembly while enabling the controlled release of three bioactive molecules, vancomycin, Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and Stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1). Mechanical properties were evaluated using a high-capacity load cell, revealing that multi-layer configurations exhibited reduced stiffness and tensile strength compared to single-layer laminates. Notably, incubation with Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts (NHDF) holds the potential to enhance interlayer cohesion and improve the mechanical integrity of 5-layer laminates. Furthermore, the composition of collagen within the laminate played a critical role in determining both mechanical behavior and release kinetics. Singular sheets of Endoform™ Natural (E) collagen displayed rapid release, while Geistlich Bio-Gide® (G) collagen sheets provided sustained release, reflecting their distinct structural characteristics. These findings underscore the potential of multi-layer collagen laminates as a versatile platform for tailored therapeutic applications in regenerative medicine.