Targeting inflammation with collagen
Dennis Schwarz, Marie Lipoldová, Holger Reinecke, Yahya Sohrabi
Abstract
Tissue damage caused by an infection oran autoimmune disease triggers degradation of collagen in the extracellular matrix (ECM), which further enhances inflammation. Therefore, improving ECM in aninflamed tissue can be exploited as a potential therapeutic target. A recentstudy emphasised an innovative approach against COVID-19 using polymerised type I collagen (PTIC) that improves disease severity through a hitherto unknownmechanism. In this paper, we provide an overview of potential mechanism thatmay explain the anti-inflammatory effect of collagen peptides. In addition,the paper includes a brief summary of possible side effect of collagendeposition in inflammatory diseases. Altogether, current knowledge suggeststhat collagen may potentially reduce the residual risk in inflammatorydiseases; however, the detailed mechanism remains elusive.