Preparation of a recombinant collagen-peptide (RHC)-conjugated chitosan thermosensitive hydrogel for wound healing

Thermosensitive chitosan hydrogels have been widely used in drug delivery and tissue repair, but further applications of these hydrogels have been limited by their weak mechanical strength and poor bioactivity. A thermoresponsive hydrogel formed by conjugating recombinant human collagen-peptide (RHC) with chitosan might be better suited for cell encapsulation and wound repair. RHC-chitosan hydrogels were prepared and tested, and the results showed that moderate RHC conjugation led to hydrogels with lower gelation temperature. The prepared RHC-containing hydrogels showed superior mechanical strength to chitosan-only hydrogels. Additionally, cells exhibited superior viability when cultured with RHC-modified hydrogels compared with hydrogels that had not been conjugated with RHC. Finally, RHC-chitosan hydrogels were injected onto the backs of rats with second-degree burns and promoted cell infiltration, vessel formation, and wound healing. Overall, the use of RHC-chitosan hydrogels is a promising and effective therapeutic approach for burn wound treatment.