A Comprehensive Review on the Role of Collagen in Health, Disease, and Biomaterials: Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspectives
1Vaibhav D. Kalambe, 2Manohar S. Ambatkar
1Research Scholar, Vidya Vikas Arts, Commerce and Science College, Samudrapur Dist. Wardha – 442305
2Professor, Department of Zoology, Vidya Vikas Arts, Commerce and Science College, Samudrapur Dist. Wardha – 442305
ABSTRACT
Collagen, a fundamental structural protein in the extracellular matrix (ECM), plays a critical role in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and biomaterial development. It is involved in various biological functions, including wound healing, musculoskeletal health, cardiovascular integrity, and cancer progression. Due to concerns related to disease transmission, ethical considerations, and religious constraints associated with mammalian collagen sources, marine-derived collagen (MDC), particularly from fish skin and scales, has emerged as a promising and sustainable alternative. MDC exhibits superior biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low immunogenicity, making it suitable for applications in wound healing, drug delivery, and tissue engineering. Various extraction techniques, including acid solubilization, enzymatic hydrolysis, and deep eutectic solvent extraction, ensure high purity and preserved bioactivity, while characterization methods such as FTIR, SEM, and XRD confirm its structural integrity. Additionally, MDC-based composite scaffolds and hydrogels enhance fibroblast proliferation, angiogenesis, and osteoblast differentiation, supporting regenerative medicine applications. In oncology, collagen remodeling has been linked to cancer metastasis, with metastatic cells exhibiting enhanced reorganization of type I collagen fibers, promoting invasiveness. Despite these advantages, challenges such as collagen quality inconsistencies, mechanical strength limitations, and the need for extensive in vivo studies remain. Future research should focus on optimizing extraction techniques, improving mechanical stability through cross-linking strategies, and integrating emerging technologies such as 3D collagen-based scaffolds, CRISPR-mediated genetic modifications, and AI-driven molecular modeling. With continued advancements, MDC holds significant potential as a sustainable and effective biomaterial for biomedical, clinical, and industrial applications.
Keywords: Collagen, Marine-Derived Collagen (MDC), Tissue Engineering, Regenerative Medicine, Wound Healing, Biomaterials, Drug Delivery, Cancer Metastasis, Extracellular Matrix (ECM), 3D Scaffolds, CRISPR, AI-Driven Molecular Modeling, Biocompatibility, Biodegradability, Sustainable Biomaterials
DOI link – https://doi.org/10.69758/GIMRJ/2504I5VXIIIP0092
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