title: Effects of genipin cross-linking of chitosan hydrogels on cellular adhesion and viability.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of genipin (Gp) cross-linking of chitosan (CHI) hydrogels on the cell adhesion and viability.
  
  
  METHODS
  Series of Gp crosslinked CHI hydrogels were prepared by incubation of solutions containing a mixture of Gp and CHI in different ratios. The resulting hydrogels were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), parallel plate rheometer, contact angle and swelling ratio measurement. The in vitro cytocompatibility of hydrogels was evaluated with L929 fibroblasts by MTT method. The cell adhesion morphology on gel surface was characterized by SEM, and the cell viability was assessed through cell count and flow cytometry analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that macroporous structure of the CHI hydrogels could be tailored by varying Gp or CHI amount. Gp cross-linking of hydrogels enhanced their storage modulus significantly, and also altered their hydrophilicity and swell properties. The MTT results revealed that the cross-linked hydrogels did not induce cytotoxic effects. Cell count and flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that denser surface milieu of hydrogels could facilitate better cell adhesion and viability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It could be concluded that increased cross-linking density significantly improved the cell adhesion and viability on hydrogel surface. This research provides prospective biocompatible approaches by making gel stiffness modifications to hydrogel scaffolds for the purpose of different tissue engineering.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Hematological Pharmacology, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Hematological Pharmacology, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gan
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Hematological Pharmacology, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, China.
authors.forename: Zhiyun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Hematological Pharmacology, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, China.
authors.forename: Ruolan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Hematological Pharmacology, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, China.
authors.forename: Zhuona
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Hematological Pharmacology, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, China.
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Hematological Pharmacology, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoxia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Hematological Pharmacology, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, China.
authors.forename: Wenzhong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Hematological Pharmacology, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Hematological Pharmacology, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Hematological Pharmacology, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, China. Electronic address: douguifang@vip.163.com.
authors.forename: Guifang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000494:pharmacology*; D039823:Iridoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D012212:Rheology / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D020100:Hydrogels; D039823:Iridoids; D048271:Chitosan; C007834:genipin
keywords: Cell adhesion; Cell–surface interaction; Chitosan; Genipin cross-linking; Hydrogel