Comparative biofabrication of sponge and fish-derived marine collagen wound dressings for cutaneous wound repair

Three-dimensional printed marine collagen wound dressings represent a promising biofabrication strategy for the development of sustainable biomaterials for skin repair. In this study, wound dressings were fabricated using sponge derived spongin-like collagen and fish skin collagen, and their biological performance was comparatively evaluated in a rat full-thickness skin wound model. The printed constructs exhibited interconnected porous architectures that supported fibroblast adhesion in vitro. Their regenerative potential was assessed by macroscopic, histological, polarized light microscopy, and immunohistochemical analyses at 7 and 14 days after injury. Both marine collagen dressings promoted significantly greater wound contraction than untreated controls after 14 days and supported progressive tissue organization throughout the healing process. Polarized light microscopy demonstrated collagen maturation and extracellular matrix remodeling in all groups, whereas fish-derived collagen promoted earlier organization of type I collagen fibers and greater collagen birefringence during the initial stages of healing. Furthermore, fish-derived collagen reduced matrix metalloproteinase-9 immunoexpression at 7 days, indicating an earlier transition from matrix degradation to tissue remodeling. Overall, both marine collagen dressings created bioactive microenvironments that enhanced cutaneous wound repair; however, fish derived collagen demonstrated superior early modulation of extracellular matrix organization and remodeling. These findings highlight the potential of biofabricated marine collagen biomaterials as sustainable next-generation wound dressing platforms for skin regeneration.