The Incorporation of Trypsin-Purified Dermal Collagen Allografts Into Cutaneous Wounds in the Rat

Abstract

Rat dermal collagen was prepared by treating whole skin with a solution of crystalline trypsin at 15°C. Non-collagenous components were largely removed by 4-7 days, but the purification process continued up to 21 days. The collagen fibril structure remained unaltered. Dermal collagen and skin allografts were implanted subcutaneously. Dermal collagen was also grafted into full thickness loss excised skin wounds and a dressing which included sheets of dermal collagen was used to prevent graft desiccation. Graft rejection, as demonstrated by epidermal destruction, occurred in the skin allografts. In contrast all of the collagen grafts became recellularised and revascularised and largely retained their original collagen architecture without evidence of cellular rejection. Those grafts which became incorporated into cutaneous wounds also became reepidermalised with no significant wound contraction occurring.