Collagen type I cross-linked to gelatin/chitosan electrospun mats: Application for skin tissue engineering

Abstract

Skin tissue engineering can provide advanced/medicated dressings by using a wide range of biodegradable polymers. Electrospun nanofibrous mats have been exposed as a great potential for skin tissue regeneration by resembling extracellular matrix. In the present study, electrospun mats were prepared using 90:10 vol ratio of gelatin/chitosan (CS) blend. Then collagen type I cross-linked to CS to improve its biological properties. FTIR results confirmed the expected chemical composition and intermolecular cross-links. SEM images represented a homogeneous structure with minimum structural defects. The average nanofiber diameters of unmodified and collagen type I-modified gelatin/CS (90:10 v/v) mats were also found around 193 ± 80 nm and 302 ± 150 nm, respectively. Collagen presence increased young modules of the mats up to 3.72 kPa, which caused better-supported cell attachment and proliferation. MTT assay displayed that the presence of collagen type I significantly increased cell viability and migration up to 89% after three days. It is to be concluded that the proposed modified mats exhibited convenient structural and functional characteristics and also provided a promising solution for skin tissue engineering applications.