Fabrication and properties of hydrogel based on itaconic anhydride modified collagen

Based on the bioconjugation engineering, the structures and properties of collagen could be optimized, which is attractive for the development of novel collagen-based biomaterials. Here, itaconic anhydride was used to modify the amino groups in collagen to prepare the itaconic anhydride modified collagen (CITA) with different grafting density. The grafting density of CITAs was detected by TNBS assay. The integrity and thermostability of triple helical structure in CITAs were revealed by CD. Hydrophilicity of CITAs was studied by isoelectric point and water contact angles analysis. The concentration of CITA solution could be improved to 30 mg/mL under physiological environment. The hydrogelation of CITA was realized by photopolymerization, based on the introduction of double bonds. The storage modulus (G′) of CITA hydrogel could be improved to 680 Pa, compared with 67 Pa of Col hydrogel. The improved hemostasis property and antibacterial property of CITAs were confirmed, and CITAs also possessed good biocompatibility. This work provided a novel artificially modified collagen with optimized properties, which could be used for 3D bioprinting and fabrication of the in situ hemostatic hydrogel system.