title: Melt processing of chitosan-based fibers and fiber-mesh scaffolds for the engineering of connective tissues.
abstract: We report the production of chitosan-based fibers and chitosan fiber-mesh structures by melt processing (solvent-free) to be used as tissue-engineering scaffolds. The melt-based approach used to produce the scaffolds does not change their main characteristics, including the surface roughness and microporosity. The porosity, pore size, interconnectivity and mechanical performance of the scaffolds are all within the range required for various tissue-engineering applications. Biological assessments are performed in direct-contact assays. Cells are able to colonize the scaffold, including the inner porous structure. The cells show high indices of viability in all of the scaffold types.
authors.affiliation: 3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, 4806-909 Taipas, Guimarães, Portugal. vitorcorrelo@dep.uminho.pt
authors.forename: Vitor M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Correlo
authors.forename: Ana R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Costa-Pinto
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sol
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Covas
authors.forename: Mrinal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
authors.forename: Nuno M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Neves
authors.forename: Rui L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Reis
mesh_terms: D002072:Butylene Glycols; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D003239:Connective Tissue Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D005615:Freezing; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D016062:Porosity; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography
chemical_list: D002072:Butylene Glycols; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; C089797:bionole; C488797:poly(butylene adipate-co-butylene terephthalate); D048271:Chitosan; C022616:thiazolyl blue