Abstract
Chitosan scaffolds based on blending polymers are a common strategy used in tissue engineering. The objective of this study was evaluation the properties of scaffolds based on a ternary blend of chitosan (Chi), gelatin (Ge), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (Chi/Ge/PVA), which were prepared by cycles of freeze-thawing and freeze-drying. It then was used for three-dimensional BRIN-BD11 beta-cells culturing. Weight ratios of Chi/Ge/PVA (1:1:1, 2:2:1, 2:3:1, and 3:2:1) were proposed and porosity, pore size, degradation, swelling rate, compressive strength, and cell viability analyzed. All ternary blend scaffolds structures are highly porous (with a porosity higher than 80%) and interconnected. The pore size distribution varied from 0.6 to 265 μm. Ternary blends scaffolds had controllable degradation rates compared to binary blend scaffolds, and an improved swelling capacity of the samples with increasing chitosan concentration was found. An increase in Young’s modulus and compressive strength was observed with increasing gelatin concentration. The highest compressive strength reached 101.6 Pa. The MTT assay showed that the ternary blends scaffolds P3 and P4 supported cell viability better than the binary blend scaffold. Therefore, these results illustrated that ternary blends scaffolds P3 and P4 could provide a better environment for BRIN-BD11 cell proliferation.
Highlights
To mimic in vivo microenvironments is essential to maintain survival and to understand cell biology
Ternary blend scaffolds P3 and P4 have larger pores compared to the P1 and
Ternary blend scaffolds show significant differences compared to controls (p < 0.05)
Summary
To mimic in vivo microenvironments is essential to maintain survival and to understand cell biology. The 2D culture does not represent the physiology of the native environment of the cells, and neither does it favor cell survival due to the lack of cell- extracellular matrix (ECM) interaction. The phenotype of cells is affected, leading to necrotic death and apoptopic cells. For this reason, scaffolds have been explored as 3D supports in cell culture, implementing biomaterials with physical, chemical, and biological characteristics, giving mechanical support, and getting more closer to the native morphology [1,2,3,4,5]. Cells in 3D culture have better survival, vascularization, gene and hormone expression; cell interactions, cell proliferation and differentiation, etc. Cells in 3D culture have better survival, vascularization, gene and hormone expression; cell interactions, cell proliferation and differentiation, etc. [1,3,4,5,6,7,8]
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.
