Comparative performance of electrospun collagen nanofibers cross-linked by means of different methods.
Collagen, as the major structural protein of the extracellular matrix in animals, is a versatile biomaterial of great interest in various engineering applications. Electrospun nanofibers of collagen are regarded as very promising materials for tissue engineering applications because they can reproduce the morphology of the natural bone but have as a drawback a poor structural consistency in wet conditions. In this paper, a comparative study between the performance of different cross-linking methods such as a milder enzymatic treatment procedure using transglutaminase, the use of N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-N'-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride/N-hydroxysuccinimide, and genipin, and the use of a physical method based on exposure to ultraviolet light was carried out. The chemical and enzymatic treatments provided, in this order, excellent consistency, morphology, cross-linking degree, and osteoblast viability for the collagen nanofibers. Interestingly, the enzymatically cross-linked collagen mats, which are considered to be a more biological treatment, promoted adequate cell adhesion, making the biomaterial biocompatible and with an adequate degree of porosity for cell seeding and in-growth.
Torres-Giner
Sergio
S
Novel Materials and Nanotechnology Laboratory, IATA, CSIC, Apartado Correos 73, 46100 Burjassot, Spain.
Gimeno-Alcañiz
Jose V
JV
Ocio
Maria J
MJ
Lagaron
Jose M
JM
D000588:Amines / Q000378:metabolism; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000737:chemistry; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000378:metabolism; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology; D013696:Temperature; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000378:metabolism
D000588:Amines; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D003094:Collagen; D011503:Transglutaminases