Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (35): 9239-9247.doi: 10.12307/2026.468

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Type VI collagen: a multifunctional regulator in bone homeostasis and tissue engineering

Dong Shiming1, 2, Xie Zhenzi3, Tao Rongrong4, Mardan·Mamat2, Ma Hairong1, 5   

  1. 1Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, 2Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830054, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China; 3School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830054, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China; 4Infectious Diseases Department, Binhu Hospital, Hefei First People’s Hospital, Hefei 230092, Anhui Province, China; 5School of Pharmacy, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830054, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China 
  • Received:2025-11-18 Revised:2026-03-02 Online:2026-12-18 Published:2026-04-28
  • Contact: Ma Hairong, MD, Researcher, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830054, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China; School of Pharmacy, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830054, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China Co-corresponding author: Mardan·Mamat, MS, Chief physician, Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830054, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
  • About author:Dong Shiming, MS candidate, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830054, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China; Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830054, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 82060411 (to MHR); Key Project of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Natural Science Foundation, No. 2021D01D21 (to MHR)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: As a key structural protein in the extracellular matrix, type VI collagen plays a critical role in skeletal development, homeostasis, and repair through its unique tetrameric microfibrillar network. Recent studies have revealed that aberrant expression of type VI collagen is closely associated with skeletal diseases such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and bone tumors. However, its multidimensional regulatory mechanisms and translational potential remain to be systematically summarized.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the structural characteristics and biological functions of type VI collagen in the skeletal system, elucidate its role in the pathogenesis of skeletal diseases, and explore its translational applications, including the development of biomarkers, construction of tissue-engineered materials, and design of therapeutic targets.
METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted using databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier ScienceDirect, and CNKI for relevant articles published from January 1982 to May 2025. Original research and review articles were included, while duplicates and low-quality publications were excluded. Ultimately, 69 articles (68 in English and 1 in Chinese) were included for systematic content integration and analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Type VI collagen influences skeletal health through a tripartite regulatory network: (1) Bone formation and resorption balance: it promotes matrix bridge-mediated osteoblast connectivity and inhibits osteoclast activation via the tumor necrosis factor-α/nuclear factor-κB p65 subunit signaling pathway; (2) Disease mechanisms: in osteoporosis, the α2 chain of type VI collagen is epigenetically suppressed by microRNA-128-2-5p; in early-stage osteoarthritis, pericellular matrix degradation occurs; in bone tumors, the α1 chain is highly expressed; (3) Translational applications: type VI collagen enhances the osteogenic efficacy of scaffold materials; its specific serum degradation products serve as diagnostic biomarkers for fibrotic diseases; antisense oligonucleotide technology has been successfully applied to correct aberrant splicing caused by splice-site mutations. Type VI collagen serves as a central hub in maintaining bone homeostasis by integrating structural support and signaling functions within the extracellular matrix, thereby regulating the dynamic balance between bone formation and resorption. Its degradation products and tissue distribution patterns offer novel diagnostic biomarkers for skeletal diseases, while gene-targeted therapies and type VI collagen-enhanced scaffolds represent promising innovative strategies for treating osteoporosis and bone defects. Future research should focus on overcoming technical challenges in tissue-targeted delivery and advancing dynamic expression profiling based on multi-omics approaches.


Key words: type VI collagen, skeletal system, osteoporosis, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, extracellular matrix

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