Alpha-crystallin-incorporated collagen matrices as an aid for dermal wound healing

This study evaluated the effects of noncovalently incorporated crystallin into the collagen matrix for dermal wound‐healing processes in rats. Crystallin‐incorporated collagen matrix (CIC) showed better healing when compared to wounds treated with collagen matrix (CS) and without collagen (CR). Biochemical parameters and histological analysis revealed that increased wound contraction enhanced cell proliferation and efficient radical scavenging in the CIC group. The higher shrinkage temperature of CIC films when compared to CS groups suggested increased hydrothermal stability for the former material. An in vitro release study of CIC has showed sustained and time‐dependent release of crystallin from the collagen matrix. These results demonstrate the possibility of using crystallin as therapeutic protein in the wound‐healing process. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 69B: 241–248, 2004