(LR-021) Jellyfish derived collagen type 0, a next generation collagen biomaterial demonstrating clear wound healing potential.

Timothy Morley, Ph.D. – Member of Jellagen Scientific Advisory Board, Jellagen; David Williams, Ph.D. – Head of Research and Process Development, Jellagen

Introduction: Jellyfish collagen type 0 (CT0) represents a chemically ancient form of collagen exhibiting high biocompatibility and promising tissue healing properties. We compared CT0 formulations against a commercial bovine collagen in full thickness excisional wounds in the db/db mouse model (BKS.Cg-m Dock7^m +/+ Lepr^db /J).  Wounds were assessed for overall wound closure, contraction, re-epithelialisation, granulation and tissue ingress.


Methods: Study

Design: Diabetic mouse model

Methods: Treatment Regimens

Tx Group	Treatment (FD = Film Dressing)	Application (days)	Animal Codes		“n”
			Day 35 Harvest	Day 63 Harvest
1	Film Dressing Only (Negative Control)	0, 4 ,8, 12 & 16	JELL-02.01 to 02.08	JELL-02.09 to 02.12	12
2	Micronized cross-linked CT0 powder + FD (2.5mg aliquot)	Day 0 only	JELL-02.25 to 02.32	JELL-02.33 to 02.36	12
3	Micronized chemically modified CT0 powder + FD (2.5mg aliquot)	Day 0 only	JELL-02.37 to 02.44	JELL-02.44 to 02.48	12
4	Bovine collagen comparator	Day 0 only	JELL-02.49 to 02.56	JELL-02.57 to 02.60	12

 

Overall wound closure, contribution of wound contraction, and wound re-epithelialisation was determined. Histological investigations (days 35 and 63) investigated: i) % re-epithelialisation, ii) granulation formation and iii) tissue response and integration.

Results:

Wound Healing: From day 12 to day 49, crosslinked and chemically modified CT0 powders demonstrated significantly increased levels of wound closure (p≤0.029 & p≤0.024 respectively), contraction (p≤0.029) and promoted re-epithelialisation with significantly increased re-epithelialisation observed vs bovine with the chemically modified CT0 powder on day 8 (p=0.010).

Discussion:

Histology:                                                   
Re-epithelialisation & Granulation: All treatments were found to encourage better re-epithelialisation and granulation relative to control (film dressing only). Tissue formation via bovine collagen tended to be less mature with higher numbers of inflammatory cells compared to CT0

Assessment of tissue ingress & cellular profile:  CT0 powders demonstrated better vascularisation, host collagen deposition & cellular proliferation compared to the bovine comparator.

Conclusions/

Discussion: Jellyfish collagen offers exciting potential as an effective biomaterial to heal wounds with a better quality of outcome and favoured immune response. Compared to bovine collagen, CT0 upregulated a preferred granulation tissue being more uniform and mature.  Interestingly, CT0 also appeared not to contract the wound offering a potential clinical benefit.