title: Biocompatible fibrous networks of cellulose nanofibres and collagen crosslinked using genipin: potential as artificial ligament/tendons.
abstract: Bio-based fibrous nanocomposites of cellulose nanofibres and non-crosslinked/crosslinked collagen were prepared by in situ pH-induced fibrillation of collagen phase and sterilized using gamma rays at 25 KGy. Collagen phase is crosslinked using genipin, a bio-based crosslinker that introduces flexible crosslinks. Microscopy studies of the prepared materials showed nanostructured fibrous collagen and cellulose dispersed in collagen matrix. Mechanical performance of the sterilized nanocomposites was close to that of natural ligament and tendon, in simulated body conditions. Cytocompatibility studies indicated that these nanocomposites allowed human ligament cell and human endothelial cell adhesion, growth, and differentiation; which is eminently favourable to ligament tissue engineering.
authors.affiliation: Division of Materials Science, Luleå University of Technology, 97187-Luleå, Sweden. aji.mathew@ltu.se
authors.forename: Aji P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.forename: Kristiina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oksman
authors.forename: Dorothée
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pierron
authors.forename: Marie-Françoise
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Harmand
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry*; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D039823:Iridoids / Q000737:chemistry*; D008022:Ligaments / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D051379:Mice; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013710:Tendons / Q000737:chemistry; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D039823:Iridoids; D002482:Cellulose; D003094:Collagen; C007834:genipin