Chemically cross-linked chitosan hydrogel loaded with gelatin for chondrocyte encapsulation

摘要: Composite hydrogels can be used as a scaffolding material for chondrogenesis, which requires biomimetic environment to maintain chondrocyte morphology and phenotype. In this study, gelatin molecules were loaded into hydrogel polymerized from chitosan derivative (CML) form semi-interpenetrating polymer network. While the porous structure of in dry state was not dependent on content, collapse extent pore size decreased content increased. The loading also reduced swelling ratio CML enhanced strength at 20°C due gelation gelatin. release behavior could controlled by many factors, such amount gelatin, temperature, solution pH. weight loss composite expedited after showed positive relationship with content. results vitro cell culture revealed that improved viability promoted proliferation glycosaminoglycans secretion chondrocytes. This new scaffold production technology encapsulation provides further step towards applications tissue engineering other biomedical areas.