In Vitro and In Vivo Biocompatibility Analysis of a New Transparent Collagen-based Wound Membrane for Tissue Regeneration in Different Clinical Indications

Abstract

For the treatment of different tissue defects such as jawbone defects, open wound defect, chronic ulcers, dura mater defects and corneal defects, different biomaterials are available. The use of collagen-based materials for these applications has been significantly increased over the past decades due to its excellent biocompatibility and degradability. However, no transparent collagen-based biomaterial is available until now. Thus, a newly developed transparent collagen membrane (TCM) based on natural derived porcine pericardium, which offers numerous application possibilities, was developed. The present study aimed to analyze the in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility using established methods. The new TCM membrane and a commercially available collagen membrane (CM, Jason membrane, botiss biomaterials GmbH, Zossen, Germany) were tested for its in vitro cytocompatibility. Furthermore, the in vivo biocompatibility was analyzed using sham operations as control group. In vitro, cytocompatibility was tested in accordance with EN ISO 10993-5/-12 regulations and Live-Dead-stainings. In vivo, a subcutaneous implantation model in BALB/c mice was used and explants were prepared for analyses by established histological, immunohistochemical and histomorphometrical methods. In vitro, both membranes showed promising cytocompatibility with a slightly better direct cell response in the Live-Dead staining assay for the TCM. In vivo, TCM induced a comparable inflammatory immune response after 10 and 30 days with comparable numbers of M1- and M2-macrophages as also found in the control group without biomaterial insertion. The newly transparent collagen membrane is fully biocompatible and is supporting safe clinical application in tissue repair and surgery.