Cross-linking by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC) of acollagen/elastin membrane meant to be used as a dermal substitute: effectson physical, biochemical and biological features in vitro
B. Hafemann et al., Cross-linking by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC) of acollagen/elastin membrane meant to be used as a dermal substitute: effectson physical, biochemical and biological features in vitro, J MAT S-M M, 12(5), 2001, pp. 437-446
Citations number
37
Categorie Soggetti
Multidisciplinary
Journal title
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN MEDICINE
Next to in vitro-cultured autogeneic keratinocytes for the restoration of e
pidermis, a suitable dermal matrix is a mandatory component of an artificia
l skin substitute for the permanent covering of full thickness skin defects
. In our model a xenogeneic membrane, consisting of processed native collag
en and elastin of porcine origin is meant to serve as a template for the fo
rmation of a neo-dermis. In order to improve the resistance of this matrix
against enzymatical degradation, we cross-linked it by using the carbodiimi
de 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC) together with N-hyd
roxysuccinimide. Chemical cross-linking by these agents at two different de
grees (shrinkage temperatures 63 degreesC and 81 degreesC) had no relevant
effect on mechanical features or water-uptake capacity. The time needed for
enzymatic digestion was increased by cross-linking. Concerning growth and
spreading of fibroblasts and keratinocytes on and within the structure of t
his membrane, we did not observe a difference between cross-linked and non-
cross-linked material (shrinkage temperature 48 degreesC). We therefore exp
ect that cross-linking by EDC is an effective means to control the degradat
ion of the collagen/elastin membranes in vivo without a significant influen
ce on their biocompatibility. (C) 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers.