Genipin-crosslinked chitosan/gelatin blends for biomedical applications.
Blends between chitosan (CS) and gelatin (G) with various compositions (CS/G 0/100 20/80, 40/60, 60/40 100/0 w/w) were produced, as candidate materials for biomedical applications. Different amounts of genipin (0.5 wt.% and 2.5 wt.%) were used to crosslink CS/G blends, promoting the formation of amide and tertiary amine bonds between the macromolecules and the crosslinker. The effects of composition and crosslinking on the physico-chemical properties of samples were evaluated by infrared analysis, thermogravimetry, contact angle measurements, dissolution and swelling tests. Mechanical properties of crosslinked samples were also determined through stress-strain and creep tests: samples stiffness increased with increasing the crosslinker amount and the CS content. Blend composition affected mouse fibroblasts adhesion and proliferation on substrates, depending on the crosslinker amount. Finally, crosslinked CS/G blends containing 80 wt.% G were found to support neuroblastoma cells adhesion and proliferation which made them promising candidates for uses in the field of nerve regeneration.
Department of Chemical Engineering, Industrial Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Pisa, Via Diotisalvi 2, Pisa, Italy. valeria.chiono@ing.unipi.it
Valeria
V
Chiono
Ettore
E
Pulieri
Giovanni
G
Vozzi
Gianluca
G
Ciardelli
Arti
A
Ahluwalia
Paolo
P
Giusti
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry*; D057889:Iridoid Glycosides; D039823:Iridoids / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013499:Surface Properties; D013718:Tensile Strength
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D057889:Iridoid Glycosides; D039823:Iridoids; D005780:Gelatin; D048271:Chitosan; C007834:genipin