Synergistic effects of glucose and ultraviolet irradiation on the physical properties of collagen.

Our objective was to strengthen and stabilize collagen films without the introduction of cytotoxic chemical crosslinkers. We hypothesized that collagen could be rapidly crosslinked with glucose with ultraviolet (UV) irradiation as a catalyst. In theory, UV-generated free radicals can expedite collagen crosslinking with glucose via the formation of reactive, linear glucose molecules.

Effect of physical crosslinking methods on collagen-fiber durability in proteolytic solutions.

We previously demonstrated that ultraviolet (UV) or dehydrothermal (DHT) crosslinking partially denatured fibers extruded from an insoluble type I collagen dispersion. In this study denaturation effects were evaluated by measuring collagen-fiber sensitivity to trypsin. Shrinkage-temperature measurements and sensitivity to collagenase served as indices of crosslinking.

Physical crosslinking of collagen fibers: comparison of ultraviolet irradiation and dehydrothermal treatment.

The strength, resorption rate, and biocompatibility of collagenous biomaterials are profoundly influenced by the method and extent of crosslinking. We compared the effects of two physical crosslinking methods, ultraviolet irradiation (UV) (254 nm) and dehydrothermal (DHT) treatment, on the mechanical properties and molecular integrity of collagen fibers extruded from an acidic dispersion of type I bovine dermal collagen. Collagen fibers exposed to UV irradiation for 15 min had ultimate tensile strength (54 MPa) and modulus (184 MPa) values greater than or equivalent to values for fibers crosslinked with DHT treatment for 3 or 5 days.

Vascular graft sealants.

Although the use of vascular graft sealants is primarily intended to decrease the porosity of grafts upon implantation, sealants also may serve to passivate polymeric surfaces or act as a temporary scaffold for cell attachment and subsequent graft healing. The safety and efficacy of vascular grafts sealed with albumin, collagen, and gelatin have been established through many preclinical and clinical studies. Such products have been used in clinical practice since the mid-1980s.

Intraperitoneal radioimmunotherapy of refractory ovarian carcinoma utilizing iodine-131-labeled monoclonal antibody OC125.

Refractory epithelial ovarian cancer is generally confined to the peritoneal cavity and is thus amenable to intraperitoneal (ip) therapy. Radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies raised to tumor-associated antigens offer the promise of selective tumor irradiation while reducing toxicity to normal tissues. We have conducted a phase I therapeutic trial to examine the feasibility of ip radioimmunotherapy utilizing escalating doses of 131I-labeled OC125 F(ab')2.