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.
Chiono
Valeria
V
Department of Chemical Engineering, Industrial Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Pisa, Via Diotisalvi 2, Pisa, Italy. valeria.chiono@ing.unipi.it
Pulieri
Ettore
E
Vozzi
Giovanni
G
Ciardelli
Gianluca
G
Ahluwalia
Arti
A
Giusti
Paolo
P
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