Gelatin-based spongy and compressive resistant cryogels with shape recovery ability as ideal scaffolds to support cell adhesion for tissue regeneration

Abstract

Methacryloyl gelatin (GelMA) was blended with dextran methacrylate (DexMA) to produce polymer networks with interconnected macropores via cryostructuring and radical crosslinking of the polymers at subzero temperatures. The experimental set-up was optimized to allow the formation of monolithic networks characterized by highly uniform structure with interconnected macropores. The total polymers mass, the amount of the gel-forming reagents and particularly the rheological properties of GelMA resulted the most critical factors for the fabrication of homogeneous and not collapsed scaffolds. Indeed, only the use of GelMA with very low gelation temperature resulted in the formation of uniform monolithic cryogels. However, blending with DexMA produced general worsening of the mechanical properties of the scaffolds, due to DexMA interference with secondary structuring of GelMA during the cryogelation process. DexMA also had negative effect on the ability of the cryogel to support growth and proliferation of HaCat cells, bringing to slower cell adhesion to the scaffold.