Injectable and biodegradable collagen–chitosan microspheres for enhanced skin regeneration

Abstract

Skin aging is influenced by both external environmental factors and intrinsic biological mechanisms. Traditional microsphere implants aim to rejuvenate aging skin through collagen regeneration, yet their non-biodegradability and risk of granuloma formation often limit their effectiveness. In this study, we developed novel, injectable, highly bioactive, and degradable collagen–chitosan double-crosslinked composite microspheres for skin rejuvenation. The microspheres demonstrated excellent injectability, requiring an injection force of only 0.9 N, and significant biodegradability, effectively degraded in solutions containing phosphate buffer, type I collagenase, and pepsin. In addition, the microspheres exhibited excellent biocompatibility and bioactivity, significantly promoting the proliferation, adhesion, and migration of human foreskin fibroblast-1 (HFF-1) cells. In a photoaged mouse skin model, the implantation of microspheres significantly enhanced dermal density and skin elasticity while reducing transepidermal water loss. Importantly, the implant promoted the regeneration of collagen fibers. This study suggests that collagen–chitosan double-crosslinked composite microspheres hold significant potential for skin rejuvenation treatments.