title: Immunogenicity of collagenous implants.
abstract: Collagenous biomaterials have been used in our laboratory for treatment of decubitus ulcers, tendon/ligament repair and nerve regeneration. Results of previous studies suggest that implants containing bovine type I collagen enhance repair and regeneration of connective tissue found in different organs. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the immunological response to type I collagen that is cross-linked using either glutaraldehyde or cyanamide treatment. Humoral and cell mediated responses to type I collagen are evaluated in a rabbit model. Results obtained in this study suggest that antibody levels and cell-mediated response to type I collagen are highest in animals exposed to uncross-linked implant materials and these responses are increased by booster injections of the antigen. Antibody titres to cross-linked collagen are significantly lower than those observed for uncross-linked material. Extensive implant cross-linking does not totally eliminate the humoral response and may lead to a cell-mediated reaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway 08854.
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Meade
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Silver
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003094:Collagen / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011817:Rabbits; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003094:Collagen