title: Synthesis and characterization of chitosan-alginate scaffolds for seeding human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chitosan and alginate are two natural and accessible polymers that are known to be biocompatible, biodegradable and possesses good antimicrobial activity. When combined, they exhibit desirable characteristics and can be created into a scaffold for cell culture.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study interaction of chitosan-alginate scaffolds with mesenchymal stem cells are studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mesenchymal stem cells were derived from human umbilical cord tissues, characterized by flow cytometry and other growth parameters studied as well. Proliferation and viability of cultured cells were studied by MTT Assay and Trypan Blue dye exclusion assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Besides chitosan-alginate scaffold was prepared by freeze-drying method and characterized by FTIR, SEM and Rheological properties. The obtained 3D porous structure allowed very efficient seeding of hUMSCs that are able to inhabit the whole volume of the scaffold, showing good adhesion and proliferation. These materials showed desirable rheological properties for facile injection as tissue scaffolds.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study demonstrated that chitosan-alginate scaffold may be promising biomaterial in the field of tissue engineering, which is currently under a great deal of examination for the development and/or restoration of tissue and organs. It combines the stem cell therapy and biomaterials.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, D.Y. Patil University, Maharashtra State Highway 277, Line Bazar, Kasaba Bawada, Kolhapur, Maharashtra 416006, India. E-mails: ksneha.22@gmail.com, Shpawar1946@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sneha G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Kumbhar
authors.affiliation: Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, D.Y. Patil University, Maharashtra State Highway 277, Line Bazar, Kasaba Bawada, Kolhapur, Maharashtra 416006, India. E-mails: ksneha.22@gmail.com, Shpawar1946@gmail.com.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Pawar
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D048271:Chitosan / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D005612:Freeze Drying; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D016062:Porosity; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D048271:Chitosan
keywords: Alginate; biodegradable scaffolds; chitosan; mesenchymal stem cells; tissue engineering