Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (26): 6849-6858.doi: 10.12307/2026.843

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Preparation of recombinant humanized type III collagen and its structural characterization and safety evaluation

Qi Lei1, Wu Feitao1, Yu Yuexin1, Dai Chaomei2, Song Fu1, Bian Yinbo1, Xu Lanju1   

  1. 1Hebei NACOL Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Shijiazhuang 050035, Hebei Province, China; 2Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, Hebei Province, China
  • Accepted:2026-01-06 Online:2026-09-18 Published:2026-03-12
  • Contact: Xu Lanju, Senior engineer, Hebei NACOL Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Shijiazhuang 050035, Hebei Province, China
  • About author:Qi Lei, Senior engineer, Hebei NACOL Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Shijiazhuang 050035, Hebei Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Hebei Provincial Innovation Capacity Improvement Program, No. 244A7623D (to QL, WFT, SF, BYB)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Recombinant collagen can avoid the risk of viral transmission associated with animal-derived collagen and has good water solubility and excellent biological properties. It holds broad application prospects in medical, cosmetic, and food fields. However, there is a lack of systematic reports on strain construction, production process, structural characterization, quality research, and safety evaluation.
OBJECTIVE: To construct a high-yield strain of recombinant humanized type III collagen, establish fermentation and purification processes, and characterize and evaluate the safety of the purified product.
METHODS: A recombinant humanized type III collagen-expressing Escherichia coli strain was constructed. High-density fermentation was used to achieve high expression of the target protein. The target protein — recombinant humanized type III collagen — was extracted using immobilized metal affinity chromatography and ion exchange chromatography. The impurity residue and structure of the recombinant humanized type III collagen were analyzed by quantitative PCR, ELISA, ultra high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and differential scanning calorimetry. The safety of the recombinant humanized type III collagen was evaluated through intradermal reaction tests, skin sensitization tests, acute systemic toxicity tests, and cell proliferation and migration experiments.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The recombinant humanized type III collagen high-yield strain constructed in this study achieved a yield of 10 g/L in a 5-L fermenter. The peptide coverage and molecular weight analysis of the purified recombinant humanized type III collagen showed that the expressed product was completely consistent with the designed sequence. The melting temperature value of the purified product was 79.72°C, which was significantly higher than body temperature. The residual exogenous DNA, Escherichia coli protein, and endotoxin in the purified product all met the standard requirements. Intradermal reactivity tests, skin sensitization tests, acute systemic toxicity tests, and cell proliferation and migration experiments have exhibited that the recombinant humanized type III collagen product has good safety.


Key words: recombinant humanized type III collagen, Escherichia coli, residual exogenous DNA, residual Escherichia coli protein, bacterial endotoxin, structural characterization, cellular effects

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