Fibrin-Reinforced Collagen Matrix Enhances Tissue Regeneration and Angiogenesis
The goal of this study was to investigate effects of fibrin reinforcement of collagen sponges on fibroblasts-mediated contraction and in vivo tissue regeneration, especially angiogenesis. Human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs)-populated collagen sponges reinforced with or without fibrin were cultivated via the free-floating method in vitro. They were then evaluated using xenogeneic implantation into nude mice. The HDFs-populated collagen sponges reinforced with fibrin exhibited significantly decreased HDFs-mediated contraction in vitro (p<0.05). Microvascular and cellular densities of the collagen sponges were significantly higher with fibrin than without (p<0.01). Cell ingrowths, neovascularization, and deposition of ECM matrix were more evenly distributed in the fibrin-reinforced collagen matrices. The results demonstrated that fibrin reinforcement of porous collagen sponges can reduce cell-mediated contraction in vitro while enhancing functional integration with surrounding tissue in vivo.