Chitosan-Collagen hybrid 3D-scaffolds as potential biomaterials for tissue engineering

Introduction. Chitosan has been applied to promote extracellular matrix (ECM) formation in tissue regenerative therapy. The superior tissue compatibility of chitosan may primarily be attributed to its structural similarity to... [ view full abstract ]

Introduction. Chitosan has been applied to promote extracellular matrix (ECM) formation in tissue regenerative therapy. The superior tissue compatibility of chitosan may primarily be attributed to its structural similarity to glycosaminoglycan in ECM. Chitosan has been reported to be biocompatible, bio-absorbable and particularly, is considered a good wound-healing accelerator. Dermis and scaffolds made from chitosan exhibit weak antigenicity, biodegradability, and superior biocompatibility (hemostatic and cell-binding properties) by comparison to the synthetic polymers, such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). As a scaffold, chitosan-based materials in the form of a sponge have been considered the most popular 3D-scaffolds for dermal regeneration. Of the many scaffold materials being investigated, collagen has been shown to have many advantageous features. Highly porous collagen lattice sponges have been used to support in vitro growth of many types of tissues. Methods. We isolated chitosan from native shrimp waste streams and collagen from tilapia aquaculture waste by-products. Hybrid 3D-scaffold biomaterials were successfully obtained by mixing chitosan with collagen at different molar ratios. Chitosan-collagen hybrid composites were formulated as 3D sponge-like scaffolds, applying previously developed methodologies involving solvent casting and freeze-drying. Results. Chitosan-collagen hybrid 3D-scaffolds were characterized according to its water uptake capacity, thermal behavior (DSC) and morphology (SEM). Discussion. Chitosan-collagen hybrid 3D-scaffolds showed improved stability, higher active compound loading capacity, better release properties, improved cell uptake, greater porosity, tensile strength and increased thermal stability as compared to current synthetic scaffolds. These hybrid nanostructured biomaterials will be suitable for the incorporation of active ingredients that may potentiate its application as dressings, cell culture scaffolds We are currently starting cell growth studies on the scaffolds using model epithelial cells.