Improvement of cellular responses of genipin cross-linked chitosan/nano β-TCP composite scaffolds by surface modification with fibrin

Abstract

In this study, genipin cross-linked freeze-gelled chitosan/nano β-Tricalcium Phosphate (β-TCP) composite scaffolds were successfully modified by using fibrin and characterized to make them more effective towards bone tissue regeneration. The modified scaffolds possess adequate pore size (56–179 μm) and desired porosity (72.0 ± 3.8%) for bone tissue engineering applications. There is no significant change in compressive strength of scaffolds was observed before (2.78 ± 0.14 MPa) and after (2.80 ± 0.13 MPa) fibrin coating. Notably, in-vitro cell culture study revealed the enhanced cellular responses such as cell attachment (Field emission-scanning electron microscopy), proliferation (DNA quantification assay) and differentiation (Alkaline phosphatase activity, estimation of total calcium content and expression of osteogenic specific genes) of seeded human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Further, the fibrin coating has added advantage of having fibrillar network facilitating transport of nutrients and metabolic waste to the seeded cells. Altogether, results indicate the potentiality of developed fibrin conjugated composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications.