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collagenase (Plaquase / Nucleolysin / lipolysin)

✓ Approved

Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. · therapeutic agent

What is collagenase?

collagenase is a therapeutic agent developed by Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.. It is approved for therapeutic indications via injectable (others) or topical.

Drug Profile

Brand NamesPlaquase, Nucleolysin, lipolysin
CompanyJohnson & Johnson Services, Inc.
RouteInjectable (Others), Topical
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.

Therapeutic Indications

collagenase is developed for 10 unique indications across 7 therapeutic areas.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disordersDecubitus ulcer✓ Approved
Injury, poisoning and procedural complicationsThermal burn✓ Approved
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disordersDiabetic foot✓ Approved
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disordersDupuytren's contracture✓ Approved
Eye disordersGlaucoma✓ Approved

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Related Research Articles

PubMedJournal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials2026-11-10

Role of collagen in right ventricular passive anisotropic viscoelasticity with pulmonary hypertension.

LeBar Kristen K, Wang Yuecheng Y, Wang Zhijie Z

Collagen is a structural extracellular protein that contributes to the anisotropic elastic behavior of the right ventricle (RV). It is established that collagen is significantly altered in pulmonary hypertension (PH), including overall content, degree of cross-linking, and fiber alignment. The RV is viscoelastic, though, and how collagen contributes to the overall tissue viscoelastic behavior with PH development remains unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of collagen in the anisotropic viscoelasticity of the RV free wall (RVFW) during PH progression. Equibiaxial stress relaxation tests were performed in healthy and PH rat RVFW before and after the enzymatic breakdown of collagen via collagenase. A Fung-type quasilinear viscoelastic constitutive model was then applied to further delineate the changes in RVFW mechanics. We found that collagen degradation significantly reduced RVFW viscosity and elasticity, with stronger effects in the diseased group. The reduction in RVFW elastic behavior was stronger in the longitudinal direction than the circumferential, while the reduction in viscosity was similar between directions in both groups. Constitutive modeling results showed weakened RVFW stiffness after collagenase treatment in both groups, but distinct responses of relaxation strength coefficients between the healthy and diseased groups. In the longitudinal direction, the relaxation strength coefficients were positively correlated with the viscosity to elasticity ratio measured from experimental data in both groups. Our findings demonstrate distinct collagen deposition and morphology between healthy and diseased RVFW, suggesting that RV fibrosis results in unique regulation of RVFW mechanics.

PMID 43008601
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PubMedSmall (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)2026-11-10

Enzyme-Functionalized Microparticles to Open the Vitreoretinal Interface.

Motyčková Lucie L, Peter Florian F, Geisweid Ludwig L, Junker Niklas N et al.

The transport of therapeutics to their site of action is often hindered by biological barriers, such as cell layers and basement membranes. Among these, the inner limiting membrane (ILM) represents a major barrier within the eye, separating the vitreous body from the retina and restricting the penetration of intravitreally administered materials. Due to its dense, cross-linked composition, only the smallest nanoparticles can pass through the ILM. Here, we demonstrate that active microcolloids decorated with enzymes can locally open the ILM and thereby facilitate the diffusion of passive carriers into retinal tissue. We utilize an ex-vivo porcine eye model to determine the membrane permeability threshold using fluorescent nanoprobes. We further show that collagenase-decorated silica microparticles can facilitate the transport of nanoparticles, while exhibiting excellent biocompatibility with no adverse morphological or functional retinal effects over a six-week in vivo evaluation in a porcine model. Overall, our findings introduce a biocompatible and minimally invasive strategy to facilitate the targeted nanoparticle transport across biological barriers with promising implications for gene therapy.

PMID 43004826
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PubMedMolecular neurobiology2026-11-10

Microglial Cofilin-1 Regulates Neuroinflammatory Responses and Behavioral Outcomes Following Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Almarghalani Daniyah A DA, Ali Mohammad M, Rust Marco B MB, Hall F Scott FS et al.

Cofilin-1, an actin-binding protein, modulates cytoskeletal dynamics and cellular motility. Although its role in conditional neuron knockout (KO) and neuronal injury has been well studied, the specific deletion of cofilin-1 in microglia and its role in neuroinflammation after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remains unknown. This study aimed to characterize the effects of microglia-specific cofilin-1 deficiency on microglial morphology, homeostasis, behavioral phenotypes, and neurobehavioral and neuroinflammatory outcomes following ICH in male and female mice. A conditional KO mouse model was generated by crossing cofilinfl/fl (Flx) mice with CX3CR1-Cre drivers to achieve microglia-specific deletion. Baseline behavioral performance, microglial morphology, and homeostatic markers were evaluated in both sexes. ICH was then induced by intra-striatal collagenase injection, and neurobehavioral function, brain edema, hematoma volume, microglial activation, and peripheral immune responses were evaluated three days post-injury. Microglial deletion of cofilin-1 was associated with reduced TMEM119 expression, increased IBA1 immunoreactivity, and morphological transformation toward an activated phenotype. Female KO mice showed pronounced hyperlocomotion and decreased anxiety-like behavior, whereas both sexes exhibited impaired neuromuscular performance in the wire hang test. After ICH, KO mice had significantly larger hematoma volumes, enhanced microglial activation, and increased peripheral leukocyte counts compared with Flx controls. Notably, these changes were more severe in female KO mice, indicating a sex-dependent vulnerability. Our findings establish cofilin-1 as a key regulator of microglial homeostasis and immune balance within the brain. Deficiency of microglial cofilin-1 predisposes to worse secondary brain injury after ICH in a sex-dependent manner.

PMID 43004034
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PubMedFitoterapia2026-11-09

Phytochemical characterization, anti-microbial potential, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing activities of Boswellia dalzielii root bark and its isolated methoxystilbene glycosides.

Akomolafe Seun Funmilola SF, Skowrońska Weronika W, Równicki Marcin M, Wilczek Marcin M et al.

Boswellia dalzielii (B. dalzielii) Hutch. (Burseraceae), commonly known as the frankincense tree, is widely used in West and Central Africa for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, wound-healing, antidiabetic, and dermatological properties. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical constituents of B. dalzielii root bark and evaluate the anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing potentials of the crude extract and its isolated methoxy-stilbene glycosides in human keratinocytes. Crude extract fractionation was performed using flash chromatography, followed by preparative HPLC to isolate pure compounds. Structures and purity were confirmed via NMR and UHPLC-DAD-MSn. HaCaT keratinocytes were used for cytotoxicity, wound-healing, and anti-inflammatory assays. Anti-microbial, hyaluronidase and collagenase inhibition were also evaluated, and IC₅₀ values were determined. Four methoxy-stilbene glycosides were isolated, including trans-3,5-dihydroxy-4'-methoxystilbene-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and its derivatives. All samples were non-toxic to HaCaT cells in the selected concentration range. Wound-healing assay showed complete closure within 24 h for the pure aglycone, trans-3,5-dihydroxy-41-methoxystilbene (MS) and compound 19, trans-3,5-dihyroxy-4'-methoxystilbene-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside. Both crude extract and isolated compounds significantly reduced interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels, with the extract exhibiting the strongest effect. Hyaluronidase inhibition was concentration-dependent, with the raw extract (IC₅₀ = 13.87 μg/mL) and compound 16, trans-3,5-dihydroxy-4'-methoxystilbene-3-O-{α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)]-β-D-glucopyranoside) (IC₅₀ = 18.84 μg/mL) being the most active. All samples inhibited collagenase, with epigallocatechin gallate (IC₅₀ 28.00 μg/mL) more active than glycosylated methoxy-stilbene derivatives. The extract also displayed antibacterial activity against tested strains. B. dalzielii root bark, rich in methoxy-stilbene glycosides, demonstrates significant anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing activities, supporting its traditional use in managing skin inflammatory disorders.

PMID 43003144
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PubMedMalawi medical journal : the journal of Medical Association of Malawi2026-11-08

High hepatic exposure to ferulic acid, ligustilide, and ligustrazine in Chuanxiong Rhizome is associated with transporter-mediated active uptake.

Tan Hantian H, Zou Guosheng G

To investigate the in vivo tissue distribution and hepatic exposure mechanisms of ferulic acid, ligustrazine, and (Z)-ligustilide, the main active constituents of Chuanxiong Rhizome, and to elucidate the transport mechanisms involved in their hepatic uptake. Chuanxiong Rhizome was extracted using supercritical fluid extraction, and the concentrations of ferulic acid, ligustrazine, and (Z)-ligustilide were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography and identified by secondary mass spectrometry. Male rats were administered the extract intragastrically at a dose of 1.5 g/kg. Blood, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys were collected at designated time points post-administration to determine tissue concentrations of the compounds. Hepatic uptake studies were performed using isolated normal rat hepatocytes obtained via the two-step collagenase perfusion method. The effects of temperature, metabolic inhibitors, and specific transporter inhibitors on hepatic uptake were evaluated to clarify transport mechanisms. All three compounds were rapidly distributed after oral administration, with significantly higher exposure observed in the liver compared with other tissues. Hepatocyte uptake was temperature-dependent and markedly reduced by metabolic and transporter inhibitors, indicating an active transport process. Ferulic acid uptake was primarily mediated by organic anion transporters, while ligustrazine uptake involved organic cation transporters. (Z)-Ligustilide showed notable hepatic accumulation, suggesting transporter-associated uptake, although its specific transport mechanism was less clearly defined. Ferulic acid, ligustrazine, and (Z)-ligustilide from Chuanxiong Rhizome exhibit pronounced liver exposure following oral administration. This preferential hepatic distribution is largely attributed to active transport mechanisms, with organic anion and cation transporters playing key roles in the hepatic uptake of ferulic acid and ligustrazine, respectively. These findings provide mechanistic insight into the liver-targeting characteristics and pharmacological actions of Chuanxiong Rhizome.

PMID 42995727
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PubMedFrontiers in cell and developmental biology2026-11-08

A protocol for vaginal wall-derived organoids from women with pelvic organ prolapse and benign controls: limited applicability to pathological uterosacral ligament tissues.

Yu Xia X, Wu Sihan S, Tao Qin Q, Luo Xinyu X et al.

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) significantly impairs women's quality of life; however, the lack of reliable in vitro human-derived models has hindered the elucidation of its pathogenesis and the development of targeted therapies. This study aims to establish a reproducible protocol for generating patient-derived organoids from human vaginal wall and uterosacral ligament (USL) tissues and to define the boundaries of applicability of this model for POP research. Vaginal wall and USL tissues were obtained from patients with POP (stage ≥ III, n = 3) and benign controls (n = 2). Each biological sample was tested in three independent technical replicates for two parallel culture approaches, including dissociated primary cells and digested tissue fragments. The tissues were processed and digested using a combination of collagenase II and DNase. Primary cells and digested tissue fragments were cultured in a three-dimensional (3D) Matrigel system with specialized organoid culture medium supplemented with growth factors, including Wnt3a, R-Spondin 1, and Noggin. Successful organoid formation was prospectively defined as the formation of discrete, three-dimensional spherical or cystic structures with a clearly visible border, sustained growth for at least 7 days under bright-field microscopy, and a diameter ≥100 µm. Organoid formation, growth, and morphology were monitored over time. Immunofluorescence staining was performed on the organoids generated from patients with POP to analyze their cell composition. KRT14 (epithelial), vimentin (fibroblast-related), α-SMA (myofibroblast/smooth muscle-related), VWF (endothelial), and SM22 (smooth muscle) were detected. Under light microscopy, primary cells from benign control vaginal wall tissue formed organoids within the first week of culture. By Day 11, clear three-dimensional structures measuring approximately 100-500 μm in diameter were observed. In contrast, vaginal wall-derived organoids from patients with POP exhibited similar morphology but were fewer and less dense. When undigested tissue fragments were cultured for 48 h to form cell aggregates and then dispersed and reembedded in Matrigel, the organoid yield was significantly greater than that when the cultures were initiated with discrete primary cells alone, and organoid growth was maintained through the second passage. Both primary cells and tissue fragments from benign control USL generated organoids, whereas USL tissues from patients with POP did not form organoids under identical conditions. Immunofluorescence analysis of vaginal wall-derived organoids revealed expression of the epithelial marker KRT14, whereas vimentin, α-SMA, VWF, and SM22 were not detected. These findings indicate that these organoids were predominantly composed of epithelial cells. We present a preliminary protocol for generating vaginal wall-derived organoids from both patients with POP and benign controls, which may serve as a useful in vitro tool for studying epithelial biology in POP. Importantly, pathological USL tissues from patients with POP failed to form organoids under identical conditions, whereas benign control USL did; this negative result defines a current applicability boundary and indicates that the protocol is not yet suitable for generating organoids from pathological USL or for modeling USL-derived pathology. Further optimization and validation in larger cohorts are therefore needed before POP research can be broadly applied.

PMID 42996336
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