Fleck CA, Simman R, et al.
The journal of the American College of Certified Wound Specialists. Date of publication 2011 Aug 1;volume 2(3):50-4.
1. J Am Col Certif Wound Spec. 2011 Aug 1;2(3):50-4. doi:
10.1016/j.jcws.2010.12.003. eCollection 2010 Sep.
Modern collagen wound dressings: function and purpose.
Fleck CA(1), Simman R(2).
Author information:
(1)Medline Industries, Advanced Wound Care Division, Mundelein, IL 60060, USA.
(2)Wright State University, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Department of
Pharmacology and Toxicology, Miamisburg, OH 45342, USA.
Collagen, which is produced by fibroblasts, is the most abundant protein in the
human body. A natural structural protein, collagen is involved in all 3 phases of
the wound-healing cascade. It stimulates cellular migration and contributes to
new tissue development. Because of their chemotactic properties on wound
fibroblasts, collagen dressings encourage the deposition and organization of
newly formed collagen, creating an environment that fosters healing.
Collagen-based biomaterials stimulate and recruit specific cells, such as
macrophages and fibroblasts, along the healing cascade to enhance and influence
wound healing. These biomaterials can provide moisture or absorption, depending
on the delivery system. Collagen dressings are easy to apply and remove and are
conformable. Collagen dressings are usually formulated with bovine, avian, or
porcine collagen. Oxidized regenerated cellulose, a plant-based material, has
been combined with collagen to produce a dressing capable of binding to and
protecting growth factors by binding and inactivating matrix metalloproteinases
in the wound environment. The increased understanding of the biochemical
processes involved in chronic wound healing allows the design of wound care
products aimed at correcting imbalances in the wound microenvironment.
Traditional advanced wound care products tend to address the wound's
macroenvironment, including moist wound environment control, fluid management,
and controlled transpiration of wound fluids. The newer class of biomaterials and
wound-healing agents, such as collagen and growth factors, targets specific
defects in the chronic wound environment. In vitro laboratory data point to the
possibility that these agents benefit the wound healing process at a biochemical
level. Considerable evidence has indicated that collagen-based dressings may be
capable of stimulating healing by manipulating wound biochemistry.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcws.2010.12.003
PMCID: PMC3601889
PMID: 24527149
