3D printed skin dressings manufactured with spongin-like collagen from marine sponges: physicochemical properties and in vitro biological analysis

The search for innovative materials for manufacturing skin dressings is constant and high demand. In this context, the present study investigated the effects of a 3D printed skin dressing made of spongin-like collagen (SC) extract from marine sponge (<i>Chondrilla caribensis</i>), used in 3 concentrations of SC and alginate (C1, C2, C3). For this proposal, the physicochemical, morphological and<i>in vitro</i>biological results were investigated. The results demonstrated that, after immersion, C2 presented a higher mass loss and C3 present a higher pH in experimental periods. Also, a higher porosity was observed for C1 and C2 skin dressings, with a higher swelling ratio for C2. For Fourier transform infrared, peaks of Amide A, -CH2, -COOH and C-O-C were seen. Moreover, the macroscopic image demonstrated a skin dressing with rough surface and grayish color that is naturally observed in<i>Chondrilla caribensis</i>. For scanning electron microscopy analysis the presence of pores could be observed for all skin dressings, with fibers disposed in layers. The<i>in vitro</i>analyses demonstrated the viability of HFF-1 and L929 cell lines 70% of the values found for cell proliferation compared to Control Group. Furthermore, the cell adhesion analysis demonstrated that both cell lines adhered to the 3 different skin dressings and non-cytotoxicity was observed. Taking together, all the results suggest that the skin dressings are biocompatible and present non-cytotoxicity in the<i>in vitro</i>studies, being considered a suitable material for tissue engineering proposals.