Advances in Molecular Function and Recombinant Expression of Human Collagen

Collagen is the main protein found in skin, bone, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and connective tissue, and it can exhibit properties ranging from compliant to rigid or form gradients between these states. The collagen family comprises 28 members, each containing at least one triple-helical domain. T...

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Main Authors: Wenli Sun, Mohamad Hesam Shahrajabian, Kun Ma, Shubin Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Pharmaceuticals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/3/430
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author Wenli Sun
Mohamad Hesam Shahrajabian
Kun Ma
Shubin Wang
author_facet Wenli Sun
Mohamad Hesam Shahrajabian
Kun Ma
Shubin Wang
author_sort Wenli Sun
collection DOAJ
description Collagen is the main protein found in skin, bone, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and connective tissue, and it can exhibit properties ranging from compliant to rigid or form gradients between these states. The collagen family comprises 28 members, each containing at least one triple-helical domain. These proteins play critical roles in maintaining mechanical characteristics, tissue organization, and structural integrity. Collagens regulate cellular processes such as proliferation, migration, and differentiation through interactions with cell surface receptors. Fibrillar collagens, the most abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, provide organs and tissues with structural stability and connectivity. In the mammalian myocardial interstitium, types I and III collagens are predominant: collagen I is found in organs, tendons, and bones; collagen II is found in cartilage; collagen III is found in reticular fibers; collagen IV is found in basement membranes; and collagen V is found in nails and hair. Recombinant human collagens, particularly in sponge-like porous formats combined with bone morphogenetic proteins, serve as effective scaffolds for bone repair. Due to their biocompatibility and low immunogenicity, collagens are pivotal in tissue engineering applications for skin, bone, and wound regeneration. Recombinant technology enables the production of triple-helical collagens with amino acid sequences identical to human tissue-derived collagens. This review summarizes recent advances in the molecular functions and recombinant expression of human collagens, with a focus on their biomedical applications.
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spelling doaj-art-ecc5d24c39894802bbea35e32b61607b2025-08-20T02:42:28ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472025-03-0118343010.3390/ph18030430Advances in Molecular Function and Recombinant Expression of Human CollagenWenli Sun0Mohamad Hesam Shahrajabian1Kun Ma2Shubin Wang3National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100086, ChinaNational Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100086, ChinaHantide Biomedical Group Co., Ltd., Zibo 256300, ChinaHantide Biomedical Group Co., Ltd., Zibo 256300, ChinaCollagen is the main protein found in skin, bone, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and connective tissue, and it can exhibit properties ranging from compliant to rigid or form gradients between these states. The collagen family comprises 28 members, each containing at least one triple-helical domain. These proteins play critical roles in maintaining mechanical characteristics, tissue organization, and structural integrity. Collagens regulate cellular processes such as proliferation, migration, and differentiation through interactions with cell surface receptors. Fibrillar collagens, the most abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, provide organs and tissues with structural stability and connectivity. In the mammalian myocardial interstitium, types I and III collagens are predominant: collagen I is found in organs, tendons, and bones; collagen II is found in cartilage; collagen III is found in reticular fibers; collagen IV is found in basement membranes; and collagen V is found in nails and hair. Recombinant human collagens, particularly in sponge-like porous formats combined with bone morphogenetic proteins, serve as effective scaffolds for bone repair. Due to their biocompatibility and low immunogenicity, collagens are pivotal in tissue engineering applications for skin, bone, and wound regeneration. Recombinant technology enables the production of triple-helical collagens with amino acid sequences identical to human tissue-derived collagens. This review summarizes recent advances in the molecular functions and recombinant expression of human collagens, with a focus on their biomedical applications.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/3/430biological propertiescollagen structureextracellular matrixmolecular functionrecombinant collagen
spellingShingle Wenli Sun
Mohamad Hesam Shahrajabian
Kun Ma
Shubin Wang
Advances in Molecular Function and Recombinant Expression of Human Collagen
Pharmaceuticals
biological properties
collagen structure
extracellular matrix
molecular function
recombinant collagen
title Advances in Molecular Function and Recombinant Expression of Human Collagen
title_full Advances in Molecular Function and Recombinant Expression of Human Collagen
title_fullStr Advances in Molecular Function and Recombinant Expression of Human Collagen
title_full_unstemmed Advances in Molecular Function and Recombinant Expression of Human Collagen
title_short Advances in Molecular Function and Recombinant Expression of Human Collagen
title_sort advances in molecular function and recombinant expression of human collagen
topic biological properties
collagen structure
extracellular matrix
molecular function
recombinant collagen
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/3/430
work_keys_str_mv AT wenlisun advancesinmolecularfunctionandrecombinantexpressionofhumancollagen
AT mohamadhesamshahrajabian advancesinmolecularfunctionandrecombinantexpressionofhumancollagen
AT kunma advancesinmolecularfunctionandrecombinantexpressionofhumancollagen
AT shubinwang advancesinmolecularfunctionandrecombinantexpressionofhumancollagen