title: Genipin-cross-linked collagen/chitosan biomimetic scaffolds for articular cartilage tissue engineering applications.
abstract: In this study, genipin-cross-linked collagen/chitosan biodegradable porous scaffolds were prepared for articular cartilage regeneration. The influence of chitosan amount and genipin concentration on the scaffolds physicochemical properties was evaluated. The morphologies of the scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and cross-linking degree was investigated by ninhydrin assay. Additionally, the mechanical properties of the scaffolds were assessed under dynamic compression. To study the swelling ratio and the biostability of the collagen/chitosan scaffold, in vitro tests were also carried out by immersion of the scaffolds in PBS solution or digestion in collagenase, respectively. The results showed that the morphologies of the scaffolds underwent a fiber-like to a sheet-like structural transition by increasing chitosan amount. Genipin cross-linking remarkably changed the morphologies and pore sizes of the scaffolds when chitosan amount was less than 25%. Either by increasing the chitosan ratio or performing cross-linking treatment, the swelling ratio of the scaffolds can be tailored. The ninhydrin assay demonstrated that the addition of chitosan could obviously increase the cross-linking efficiency. The degradation studies indicated that genipin cross-linking can effectively enhance the biostability of the scaffolds. The biocompatibility of the scaffolds was evaluated by culturing rabbit chondrocytes in vitro. This study demonstrated that a good viability of the chondrocytes seeded on the scaffold was achieved. The SEM analysis has revealed that the chondrocytes adhered well to the surface of the scaffolds and contacted each other. These results suggest that the genipin-cross-linked collagen/chitosan matrix may be a promising formulation for articular cartilage scaffolding.
authors.affiliation: School of Material Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Le-Ping
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Ying-Jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Sofia G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Caridade
authors.forename: Jia-Bing
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Ling-Yun
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Pei-Hong
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Joaquim M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: João T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: João F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Mano
authors.forename: Rui L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Reis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics / Q000737:chemistry; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry*; D057889:Iridoid Glycosides / Q000737:chemistry*; D039823:Iridoids; D008422:Materials Testing; D011817:Rabbits; D012038:Regeneration; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics; D057889:Iridoid Glycosides; D039823:Iridoids; D003094:Collagen; D048271:Chitosan; C007834:genipin