  The design of exudate-managing wound dressings is an established route to
accelerated healing, although such design remains a challenge from material and
manufacturing standpoints. Aiming towards the clinical translation of knowledge
gained in vitro with highly swollen rat tail collagen hydrogels, this study
investigated the healing capability in a diabetic mouse wound model of
telopeptide-free, protease-inhibiting collagen networks. 4 vinylbenzylation and
UV irradiation of type I atelocollagen (AC) led to hydrogel networks with
chemical and macroscopic properties comparable to previous collagen analogues,
attributable to similar lysine content and dichroic properties. After 4 days in
vitro, hydrogels induced nearly 50 RFU% reduction in matrix metalloproteinase
(MMP)-9 activity, whilst showing less than 20 wt.-% weight loss. After 20 days
in vivo, dry networks promoted 99% closure of 10x10 mm full thickness wounds
and accelerated neodermal tissue formation compared to Mepilex. This collagen
system can be equipped with multiple, customisable properties and functions key
to personalised chronic wound care.
