Application of recombinant human type Ⅲ collagen in skin wounds and scars

doi:10.3877/cma.j.issn.1673-9450.2026.03.010

Abstract

Abstract:

Type Ⅲ collagen （ColⅢ） is a key component of the extracellular matrix （ECM） and is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of the skin and promoting repair. Traditional animal-derived ColⅢ has issues such as source variations， immunogenicity risks， and batch differences. Recombinant human type Ⅲ collagen （rhColⅢ）， produced through genetic engineering， is highly homologous to natural ColⅢ and overcomes the risks associated with animal sources. Utilizing the biological activity of rhColⅢ， it can be prepared into various material forms such as electrospun nanofiber membranes， hydrogels， microneedle patches， and free rhColⅢ chains to promote wound healing and reduce scar formation. rhColⅢ may downregulate the expression of fibrotic genes by interfering with the transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）/Smad signaling pathways， or enter fibroblasts through the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor-associated protein （uPARAP）/endocytic receptor 180 （Endo180） endocytic pathway as raw materials for synthesizing ColⅢ， directly regulating the ratio of Col Ⅰ/ColⅢ， thereby promoting wound healing. Additionally， this review explores the effects of expression systems and chemical modifications on the structure and function of rhColⅢ， and proposes suggestions for future research from perspectives such as material design， mechanism study， intervention of old scars， and clinical translation.

Key words: Collagen, Recombinant human type Ⅲ collagen, Wound healing, Scar formation

Yan Zeng, Yu'an Zhu, Zihan Tao, Jian Jin, Qingsong Liu, Shihui Zhu. Application of recombinant human type Ⅲ collagen in skin wounds and scars[J]. Chinese Journal of Injury Repair and Wound Healing(Electronic Edition), 2026, 21(03): 229-235.

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