title: Chitosan/alginate crosslinked hydrogels: preparation, characterization and application for cell growth purposes.
abstract: Chitosan hydrogels may be formed by various mechanisms. In this study, we aimed to form hybrid polymer networks of chitosan with alginate using a crosslinker which enabled the covalent binding of the two macromolecules. The structural and thermal characterization of these hydrogels was performed by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The morphological analysis of the crosslinked material was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a scanning probe microscope with atomic force microscope (AFM) attachment. The swelling properties of these gels were analyzed in water and in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution. The presence of alginate in a chitosan/alginate hydrogel was shown to support the hydrogel stability. Compared to chitosan/alginate (1/2) hydrogel prepared with 1wt% DCC, the swelling of chitosan/alginate (1/2) hydrogels prepared with 3wt% DCC was limited. To measure the degree of cell proliferation, the hydrogels were seeded with L929 mouse fibroblasts and cell numbers measured by neutral red uptake assay. The cell attachment was also followed by (SEM) photography. It was observed that chitosan/alginate (1/2) hydrogels with 1wt% (DCC) provides a better environment for cell attachment and proliferation. This study presents functional hydrogel formation by crosslinked chitosan and alginate, a novel biomaterial which also supports cell growth.
authors.affiliation: TÜBİTAK, Marmara Research Center, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Institute, P.O. Box 21, 41470 Gebze-Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kemal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Baysal
authors.forename: Ayse Z
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Aroguz
authors.forename: Zelal
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Adiguzel
authors.forename: Bahattin M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Baysal
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002021:Buffers; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry*; D004024:Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide / Q000737:chemistry*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D051379:Mice; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002021:Buffers; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020100:Hydrogels; D014867:Water; D004024:Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D048271:Chitosan