title: Characterization of collagen matrices crosslinked using microbial transglutaminase.
abstract: In search of a new approach for crosslinking collagen-based biomaterials, we examined the effect of microbial transglutaminase (MTGases) as a crosslinking reagent on collagenous matrices made from porcine type I collagen. As the results revealed, MTGase exhibited a crosslinking action that raised the viscosity of the collagen solution. Matrices crosslinked with MTGase at the low pH values of pH 3 and 4 exhibited higher tensile strengths than those at high pH values. In comparison with untreated matrices, the denaturation temperatures of the corresponding matrices shifted toward higher temperatures. These enzyme-catalyzed crosslinked matrices were proven by MTT assay to be non-cytotoxic. In conclusion, this enzymatic method of using MTGase provides an alternative potential way for crosslinking collagen-based matrices.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei 110, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Ray-Neng
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hsiu-O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Ming-Thau
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Sheu
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D048429:Cell Size / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008422:Materials Testing; D013302:Streptomyces / Q000201:enzymology*; D013696:Temperature; D013718:Tensile Strength; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D024042:Collagen Type I; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D011503:Transglutaminases