Beyond Animal Collagen: The Promise of Bacterial Collagen-like Proteins (CLPs)

Collagen is a widely distributed extracellular matrix protein crucial for various biological processes and is extensively used as a biomaterial in medical applications. While animal-derived collagen is commonly used in tissue engineering, it often suffers from batch-to-batch variability and potential immunogenicity. As a promising alternative, prokaryotic sources, specifically bacterial collagen-like proteins (CLPs), offer easier scalability and a lower risk of immune reactions. This Perspective discusses the structural and functional properties of collagen by type and source, emphasizing its biomedical relevance. It also explores the limitations of animal-derived collagen and examines the advantages of bacterial collagen as a sustainable and biocompatible option. Additionally, recent advancements in bacterial collagen production, purification, scalability, and applications in tissue engineering are outlined. In conclusion, bacterial collagen addresses many shortcomings of animal-derived collagen and holds significant promise for innovative tissue engineering biomaterials. However, it still requires further comprehensive validation using in vivo models to ensure robust clinical translation and ensure its readiness for commercial use.