Promoting Adipogenesis Using a Collagen VI–Heparin Sulfate Coating: Applications in Tissue Engineering for Wound Healing

Treating burn-related injuries remains challenging, because of donor site morbidity, bacterial infection, and major scarring. Recent advances have led to the development of promising natural and synthetic polymer scaffolds, the objective of which is to regenerate skin using a “top-down” approach, in which the top layers of the skin populated by fibroblasts and keratinocytes are regenerated first. An often-overlooked component of the integumentary system is the subcutaneous adipose tissue, which has been implicated in a variety of activities, including wound healing. We have created a novel coating composed of collagen VI (col VI) and heparin sulfate (HS) that promotes adipocyte attachment and adipogenesis at a rate significantly faster at both early and late time points (5 and 23 days), compared to a noncoated control. In addition, Vicryl, which is a biodegradable surgical implant mesh, was coated with the optimized col VI–HS ratio. Coated Vicryl had an increased number of attached adipocytes with more-pronounced growth, when compared to uncoated Vicryl. These findings suggest that the combination of optimized col VI–HS coating and the fibrous woven Vicryl may have excellent potential in developing skin graft applications using a paradigm-shifting “bottom-up” approach.