title: Gelatine/PLLA sponge-like scaffolds: morphological and biological characterization.
abstract: Biodegradable synthetic polymers such as poly(lactic acid) are widely used to prepare scaffolds for cell transplantation and tissue growth, using different techniques set up for the purpose. However the poor hydrophilicity of these polymers represents the main limitation to their use as scaffolds because it causes a low affinity for the cells. An effective way to solve this problem could be represented by the addition of biopolymers that are in general highly hydrophilic. The present work concerns porous biodegradable sponge-like systems based on poly(L-lactic acid) and gelatine. Morphology and porosity characteristics of the sponges were studied by scanning electron microscopy and mercury intrusion porosimetry respectively. Blood compatibility was investigated by bovine plasma fibrinogen adsorption test and platelet adhesion test. The cell culture method was used in order to evaluate the ability of the matrices to work as scaffolds for tissue regeneration. The obtained results indicate that the sponges have interesting porous characteristics, good blood compatibility and above all good ability to support cell adhesion and growth. In fact viable and metabolically active animal cells were found inside the sponges after 8 weeks in culture. On this basis the systems produced seem to be good candidates as scaffolds for tissue regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pisa, Via Diotisalvi 2, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lazzeri
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Cascone
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Danti
authors.forename: Lorenzo Pio
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Serino
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moscato
authors.forename: Nunzia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bernardini
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002417:Cattle; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration / Q000295:instrumentation; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D010973:Platelet Adhesiveness; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D012756:Sheep
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide); D005780:Gelatin