title: Modified dextran cross-linked electrospun gelatin nanofibres for biomedical applications.
abstract: Electrospun gelatin nanofibres attract attention of bioengineering arena because of its excellent biocompatibility and structural resemblance with native extracellular matrix. In this study, we have developed gelatin nanofibres using an innovative cross-linking approach to minimize cytotoxic effects. Gelatin was dissolved in water:acetic acid (8:2, v/v) solution and electrospun to form nanofibres with diameter in the range of 156 ± 30 nm. The nanofibres were cross-linked with a modified polysaccharide, namely, dextran aldehyde (DA). Cross-linking with DA could be achieved without compromising the fibrous architecture. DA cross-linked gelatin nanofibres maintained the fibrous morphology in aqueous medium. These mats exhibit improved mechanical properties and gradual degradation behaviour. The nanofibres were evaluated for cytotoxicity, cell adhesion, viability, morphology and proliferation using L-929 fibroblast cells. The results confirmed that DA cross-linked mats were non cytotoxic towards L-929 cells with good cell adhesion, spreading and proliferation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram 695547, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jalaja
authors.affiliation: Tissue culture laboratory, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695012, India.
authors.forename: P R Anil
authors.initials: PRA
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, India.
authors.forename: Tuli
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dey
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, India.
authors.forename: Subhas C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kundu
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram 695547, Kerala, India. Electronic address: nirmala@iist.ac.in.
authors.forename: Nirmala R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: James
mesh_terms: D003911:Dextrans / Q000737:chemistry*; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry*; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D003911:Dextrans; D005780:Gelatin
keywords: Cross-linking; Dextran aldehyde; Electrospinning; Gelatin; Nanofibres