Evaluation of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate Modified Collagen Membrane and Concerns on Schwann Cells

Abstract EN

Collagen is an essential component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and is a suitable material for nerve repair during tissue remodeling for fracture repair.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), an extract of green tea, shows various biological activities that are beneficial to nerve repair.

Here, we developed modified collagen containing different concentrations of EGCG (0.0064%, 0.064%, and 0.64%, resp.) to induce Schwann cell proliferation and differentiation.

Cell Counting Kit-8 test, live/dead assay, and SEM showed that collagen cross-linked by EGCG induced Schwann cell proliferation.

Real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Western blotting revealed that EGCG-modified collagen induced Schwann cell differentiation and downregulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by downregulating the MAPK P38 signaling pathway.

Our results indicate that collagen cross-linked with an appropriate concentration of EGCG induces the proliferation and differentiation of Schwann cells.

The EGCG-modified collagen membrane may be applicable for nerve repair and guided tissue regeneration applications.