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Atelocollagen, a form of collagen without telopeptides, thanks to its reduced immunogenicity, has found wide application in regenerative medicine, transplantology and oral surgery. It is valued for its ability to accelerate healing processes and tissue regeneration, which makes it a key material in modern medical procedures.1. Introduction
Collagen, the main structural protein in connective tissue, is a key ingredient supporting tissue regeneration and healing. Atelocollagen, obtained by enzymatic removal of telopeptides from native collagen, is characterized by a minimized ability to induce an immune response. Its biocompatibility and biodegradability make it ideal for medical applications where traditional biomaterials could provoke transplant rejection or allergic reactions.2. Atelocollagen in oral surgery
In oral surgery, atelocollagen is mainly used to promote healing after tooth extractions, where its use has shown significant benefits in the regeneration of bone and gingival tissue. A study conducted by Iwata and colleagues (2010) showed that atelocollagen sponges used in tooth extraction sites contributed to increased expression of type I collagen mRNA, which is important for bone regeneration. Moreover, the use of atelocollagen significantly reduces the risk of complications by stimulating natural healing processes.3. Atelocollagen in transplant medicine
Atelocollagen is used in transplantology as a scaffold for cells, supporting their adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. Its use is crucial in the context of tissue culture, where it serves as a matrix for cultured cells. For example, research on the use of atelocollagen to heal wounds in diabetic mice has shown that its use in combination with autologous stem cells significantly accelerates tissue regeneration.4. Innovative applications of atelocollagen
The development of biomaterial technology opens new possibilities for the use of atelocollagen. Its use is now expanding to tissue engineering, where it supports the reconstruction of large tissue defects. Atelocollagen is also studied in the context of creating bioartificial organs such as blood vessels or skin, where its properties are used to create structures resembling natural tissues. Atelocollagen is also considered as an effective carrier of therapeutics, as described in detail in the work of Wysocki and colleagues from 2007, where their potential use in gene therapy and drug delivery was investigated. Atelocollagen, thanks to its unique properties such as low immunogenicity, stability at various temperatures and the ability to form stable complexes with proteins and nucleic acids, can effectively protect therapeutic molecules in the body and release them in a controlled manner. The authors indicate that atelocollagen can serve as a safe and effective carrier for antisense therapy, RNAi and other therapeutic strategies that require precise delivery of molecular factors to target cells. These applications include the treatment of hereditary diseases, cancers and other pathological conditions, which makes atelocollagen a promising material in modern regenerative and molecular medicine. The results of Wysocki and colleagues' research could significantly contribute to the development of more effective and safer treatments, especially in gene therapy and drug delivery.5. The future of atelocollagen in medicine
Future research on atelocollagen will focus on further understanding its interactions with human cells in the context of its immunological and regenerative properties. Progress in nanomedical technologies and tissue bioengineering may enable even broader use of atelocollagen in medicine, from soft tissue reconstruction to advanced drug delivery systems.End
Atelocollagen, thanks to its unique properties, is becoming the foundation of modern medical and surgical techniques. Its role in regenerative medicine and transplantology will continue to grow as new applications and technologies are developed. IOC has its own technology for producing this protein.REFERENCES
- Iwata, S., Matsuzaka, K., Inoue, T. (2010). Effects of an atelocollagen sponge during the wound healing of tooth extraction sockets at an early stage. Oral Medicine & Pathology, 15(1), 15-20. Available online: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/omp/15/1/15_1_15/_article/-char/ja/
- Kajiwara, K., Tanemoto, T., Wada, S., Karibe, J., Ihara, N., Ikemoto, Y., Kawasaki, T., Oishi, Y., Samura, O., Okamura, K., Takada, S., Akutsu, H., Sago, H., Okamoto, A., Umezawa, A. (2017). Fetal Therapy Model of Myelomeningocele with Three-Dimensional Skin Using Amniotic Fluid Cell-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Stem Cell Reports, 8 (6), 1701-1713. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.05.009
- Minabe, M., Kodama, T., Hori, T., Watanabe, Y. (1989). Effects of atelocollagen on the wound healing reaction following palatal gingivectomy in rats. Journal of Periodontal Research, 24 (3), 188-195. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0765.1989.tb02003.x
- Nambu, M., Kishimoto, S., Nakamura, S., Mizuno, H., Yanagibayashi, S., Yamamoto, N., Azuma, R., Nakamura, S.I., Kiyosawa, T., Ishihara, M., Kanatani , Y (2009). Accelerated wound healing in healing-impaired db/db mice by autologous adipose tissue-derived stromal cells combined with atelocollagen matrix. Annals of Plastic Surgery, 62 (3), 317-321. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/SAP.0b013e31817f01b6
- Yu, S.-J., Moon, S.-S., Jang, H.-S., Han, K.-Y., Hwang, K.-S., Choi, S.-H., Kwon, Y.-H., Kim, B.-O. (2012). A clinical and histological evaluation for healing of dehiscence defects filled with an absorbable atelocollagen sponge in dogs. Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, 9, 320–327. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13770-012-0329-5
- Wysocki, T., Sacewicz, I., Wiktorska, M., Niewiarowska, J. (2007). Atelocollagen as a potential carrier of therapeutics. Progress Hig Med Exp (online), 61: 646-654. e-ISSN 1732-2693. Available online: https://phmd.pl/resources/html/article/details?id=6899&language=en
