Abstract
This comparative study aims to identify a biocompatible and effective crosslinker for preparing gelatin sponges. Glutaraldehyde (GTA), genipin (GP), 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC), and microbial transglutaminase (mTG) were used as crosslinking agents. The physical properties of the prepared samples were characterized, and material degradation was studied in vitro with various proteases and in vivo through subcutaneous implantation of the sponges in rats. Adipose-derived stromal stem cells (ADSCs) were cultured and inoculated onto the scaffolds to compare the cellular biocompatibility of the sponges. Cellular seeding efficiency and digestion time of the sponges were also evaluated. Cellular viability and proliferation in scaffolds were analyzed by fluorescence staining and MTT assay. All the samples exhibited high porosity, good swelling ratio, and hydrolysis properties; however, material strength, hydrolysis, and enzymolytic properties varied among the samples. GTA–sponge and GP–sponge possessed high compressive moduli, and EDC–sponge exhibited fast degradation performance. GTA and GP sponge implants exerted strong in vivo rejections, and the former showed poor cell growth. mTG–sponge exhibited the optimal comprehensive performance, with good porosity, compressive modulus, anti-degradation ability, and good biocompatibility. Hence, mTG–sponge can be used as a scaffold material for tissue engineering applications.
Highlights
Gelatin is a partial hydrolysis product of native collagen and characterized by non-toxicity, non-carcinogenicity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability[1,2,3]; gelatin is widely used in the pharmaceutical and medical fields, such as in wound dressing materials[4,5], tissue engineering scaffolds[6,7,8], and drug delivery carriers[9,10]
We evaluated the effect of microbial transglutaminase (mTG) as a crosslinker for preparing gelatin hydrogels and found that it exhibits good cell biocompatibility[25]
Gelatin sponges prepared by different crosslinking methods show various colors. mTG–sponge, ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC)–sponge, and un-crosslinked gelatin sponge are white
Summary
Gelatin is a partial hydrolysis product of native collagen and characterized by non-toxicity, non-carcinogenicity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability[1,2,3]; gelatin is widely used in the pharmaceutical and medical fields, such as in wound dressing materials[4,5], tissue engineering scaffolds[6,7,8], and drug delivery carriers[9,10]. Gelatin scaffolds are stabilized by material crosslinking to increase their strength and hydrolysis resistance and maintain their stability during implantation[11]. Transglutaminase has received increasing attention because of its ability to crosslink proteins This enzyme catalyzes acyl transfer reactions between the λ-carboxyamide groups of glutamine residues (acyl donor) and the ε-amino groups of lysine residues (acyl acceptor) to form ε-(λ-glutaminyl) lysine intra- and intermolecular crosslinked proteins[23]. We evaluated the effect of mTG as a crosslinker for preparing gelatin hydrogels and found that it exhibits good cell biocompatibility[25]. To the best of our knowledge, the use of mTG as a crosslinker in the preparation of gelatin sponge scaffolds has not been reported yet. Cellular viability and proliferation in the scaffolds were further analyzed by cellular fluorescent staining and MTT assay
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
