Chitosan-Based Macromolecular Biomaterials for the Regeneration of Chondroskeletal and Nerve Tissue

Giulio D Guerra,Caterina Cristallini,Niccoletta Barbani,Elisabetta Rosellini,Mariacristina Gagliardi

doi:10.1155/2011/303708

Giulio D Guerra, Caterina Cristallini + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/303708

Copy DOI

Abstract

The use of materials, containing the biocompatible and bioresorbable biopolymer poly(1→4)-2-amino-2-deoxy-β-D-glucan, containing some N-acetyl-glucosamine units (chitosan, CHI) and/or its derivatives, to fabricate devices for the regeneration of bone, cartilage and nerve tissue, was reviewed. The CHI-containing devices, to be used for bone and cartilage regeneration and healing, were tested mainly for in vitro cell adhesion and proliferation and for insertion into animals; only the use of CHI in dental surgery has reached the clinical application. Regarding the nerve tissue, only a surgical repair of a 35 mm-long nerve defect in the median nerve of the right arm at elbow level with an artificial nerve graft, comprising an outer microporous conduit of CHI and internal oriented filaments of poly(glycolic acid), was reported. As a consequence, although many positive results have been obtained, much work must still be made, especially for the passage from the experimentation of the CHI-based devices, in vitro and in animals, to their clinical application.

Highlights

Chitosan (CHI) is a poly(1 → 4)-2-amino-2-deoxy-β-Dglucan, containing some N-acetyl-glucosamine units (Figure 1), obtained by partial deacetylation of chitin, the main component of the exoskeleton of crustaceans, and it is generally considered as biocompatible and biodegradable [1, 2]; chitin and CHI are the most abundant polysaccharides among those containing amino sugars [3]
CHI was used some years ago, by the authors’ group, as a template for the polymerization of acrylic acid and sodium 4-sty-renesulfonate [4]; the polyelectrolyte complex obtained with the first monomer showed a good cytocompatibility, while that with the second one seemed to influence negatively the cell proliferation [5]
Very many studies have been done on CHI and its derivatives as materials for the fabrication of scaffolds, used for tissue engineering and regeneration

Summary

Introduction

Chitosan (CHI) is a poly(1 → 4)-2-amino-2-deoxy-β-Dglucan, containing some N-acetyl-glucosamine units (Figure 1), obtained by partial deacetylation of chitin, the main component of the exoskeleton of crustaceans, and it is generally considered as biocompatible and biodegradable [1, 2]; chitin and CHI are the most abundant polysaccharides among those containing amino sugars [3]. Very many studies have been done on CHI and its derivatives as materials for the fabrication of scaffolds, used for tissue engineering and regeneration. In 2008, Korean biotechnologists reviewed the use of CHI and CHI derivatives for tissue engineering of various organs, between which there were bone, cartilage, and nerves [14]. The use of CHI, a completely bioresorbable material [1, 2], permits solving the main problems arising in the orthopaedic and neurological surgery: first, the substitution of damaged cartilage and bone with permanent prostheses of foreign biomaterials could not assure the same tribological and mechanical properties as the natural bone and cartilage, whose complete regeneration is preferable, when possible; second, the unique function of the nerve tissue can be fully restored only by regenerating it

Characterization of CHI-Based Biomaterials

Bone and Cartilage Regeneration

Nerve Tissue Regeneration

Conclusion