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Modulating Mechanical Properties of Collagen-Lignin Composites
Jorge A Belgodere1, Syed A Zamin1, Ryan M Kalinoski2
1Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Louisiana State University, 149 E.B. Doran Hall, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, United States.
ACS Applied Bio Materials
|January 15, 2022
Summary
Lignin, a plant-derived polymer, enhanced the stiffness and mechanical properties of collagen type I (Col I) gels. These collagen-lignin composites showed no cytotoxicity or immunogenicity, making them promising for tissue engineering scaffolds.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Collagen type I (Col I) is a key component in tissue engineering scaffolds due to its biocompatibility.
- Enhancing the mechanical properties of Col I is crucial for advanced tissue repair applications.
- Lignin's structural role in plants inspired its investigation as a biomaterial additive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of sodium lignosulfonate (SLS) and switchgrass lignin (SG) as enhancers for Col I hydrogels.
- To evaluate the impact of lignin addition on the mechanical properties, cytotoxicity, and immunogenicity of Col I matrices.
- To explore the utility of collagen-lignin composites for in vitro and in vivo tissue engineering.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of collagen type I (Col I) gels with varying concentrations of sodium lignosulfonate (SLS) and switchgrass lignin (SG).
- Rheological measurements to assess gel stiffness and shear-thinning properties.
- In vitro cytotoxicity assays using adipose-derived stromal cells.
- In vivo immunogenicity assessments comparing collagen-SLS composites with SLS-only groups.
Main Results:
- SLS and SG significantly increased the stiffness of Col I gels from 52 Pa to 670 Pa and 320 Pa, respectively.
- Lignin addition attenuated the shear-thinning behavior of the collagen gels.
- Collagen-SLS composites exhibited no observed cytotoxicity to adipose-derived stromal cells and maintained cell viability over 7 days in 3D culture.
- Collagen-SLS composites did not elicit significant immunogenicity compared to SLS-only controls.
Conclusions:
- Sodium lignosulfonate (SLS) and switchgrass lignin (SG) effectively enhance the mechanical properties of collagen type I (Col I) hydrogels.
- Collagen-lignin composites demonstrate excellent biocompatibility, with no observed cytotoxicity or immunogenicity.
- These lignin-enhanced collagen matrices represent a promising biomaterial for developing advanced scaffolds for in vitro and in vivo tissue repair applications.
