Cellular biocompatibility and biomechanical properties of N-carboxyethyl chitosan / nano-hydroxyapatite scaffolds

Abstract

Objective To prepare N-carboxyethyl chitosan/nano-hydroxyapatite (NCECS/nHA)scaffolds, and to investigate its cellular biocompatibility and biomechanical properties. Methods Samples of tracheal cartilage were obtained from an 8-week-old Japanese white rabbit. The cartilage fragments were digested with 0.2％ collagenase type Ⅱ to obtain chondrocytes which were then passage cultured.Biomechanical test was performed for the dried and wet films of NCECS/nHA complex. Then, the thirdpassage chondrocytes were seeded onto the NCECS/nHA films. Cell adhesion rate was measured at 2, 6, and 12 hours after seeding, and the proliferation index of the cells on NCECS/nHA was quantified using MTT assay. Results The unseeded composite film showed excellent biomechanical properties. The cell adhesion rate of the third-passage chondrocytes seeded on NCECS/nHA films after 12 hours was (88.4±2.1)％, which was not significantly different compared to the other groups. MTT assay indicated good proliferation of chondrocytes on NCECS/nHA films. Satisfactory growth and differentiation of chondrocytes on NCECS/nHA films were also revealed by SEM. Conclusion NCECS/nHA composite film shows favorable biomechanical properties and excellent biocompatibility with rabbit tracheal chondrocytes, and therefore can be used as a scaffold mterial for tissue-engineered trachea. Key words: Tissue engineering; Biomechanics; Histocompatibility; N-carboxyethyl chitosan; Nano-hydroxyapatite