Introduction: This work studied the integration of acellular polyanionic collagen:elastin matrices derived of bovine pericardium (BP) with variable negative charge.

Objective: The purpose of this work was to evaluate the use of modified collagen matrices for soft tissue reconstruction.

Materials and methods: Negative charges were introduced in the material by selective hydrolysis of carboxamide side chain groups from Asn and Gln present in the primary structure of the protein. Hydrolyzed materials after 24 and 48 h of treatment, respectively with 46± and 87± extra negative charges, were studied. Implants were placed in the subcutaneous of rats for periods of 14, 60, 120 and 180 days. Materials were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, SEM and TEM, and explants analysed by optical microscopy (H.E., Masson tricromic and Verhoeff stains).

Results: Differently from native tissue (BP), the biological response of polyanionic collagen:elastin matrices after 14 days from implantation was characterized by a progressive decrease in fibrosis, but most important, no characteristic cells of a chronic inflammatory response were observed. After 180 days, most of the implants were integrated to the implant region.

Conclusion: The results suggest that acellular collagen:elastin matrices prepared by devitalization of natural tissue due to their high degree of biocompatibility and integration may be potentially useful as a scaffold for soft tissue reconstruction.

Conflict of interest : None declared.