Abstract
Three-dimensional porous scaffolds are widely employed in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine for their ability to carry bioactives and cells; and for their platform properties to allow for bridging-the-gap within an injured tissue. This study describes the effect of various methoxypolyethylene glycol (mPEG) derivatives (mPEG (-OCH3 functionality), mPEG-aldehyde (mPEG-CHO) and mPEG-acetic acid (mPEG-COOH)) on the morphology and physical properties of chemically crosslinked, semi-interpenetrating polymer network (IPN), chitosan (CHT)/mPEG blend cryosponges. Physicochemical and molecular characterization revealed that the –CHO and –COOH functional groups in mPEG derivatives interacted with the –NH2 functionality of the chitosan chain. The distinguishing feature of the cryosponges was their unique morphological features such as fringe thread-, pebble-, curved quartz crystal-, crystal flower-; and canyon-like structures. The morphological data was well corroborated by the image processing data and physisorption curves corresponding to Type II isotherm with open hysteresis loops. Functionalization of mPEG had no evident influence on the macro-mechanical properties of the cryosponges but increased the matrix strength as determined by the rheomechanical analyses. The cryosponges were able to deliver bioactives (dexamethasone and curcumin) over 10 days, showed varied matrix degradation profiles, and supported neuronal cells on the matrix surface. In addition, in silico simulations confirmed the compatibility and molecular stability of the CHT/mPEG blend compositions. In conclusion, the study confirmed that significant morphological variations may be induced by minimal functionalization and crosslinking of biomaterials.
Highlights
Three-dimensional porous scaffolds remain a critical component of the platform-based tissue engineering, reconstruction, and regenerative s trategies[1]
Natural-synthetic composite scaffolds may be formed as simple polymeric blends, interpolymeric complexes, graft copolymers, or interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs)
Chitosan/methoxypolyethylene glycol (mPEG)-based cryosponges were successfully prepared via the cryogelation technique
Summary
Three-dimensional porous scaffolds remain a critical component of the platform-based tissue engineering, reconstruction, and regenerative s trategies[1]. Chitosan (CHT), a natural cationic glycosaminoglycan, is widely used for 3D scaffold preparation and ensuing tissue regeneration due to its unique properties including biocompatibility, biomimicking, biodegradability, bioactivity, and crosslinking ability as reviewed by several outstanding reports. This important biomaterial can be formulated into various platforms such as, but not limited to, sponges, cryogels, and dressings for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications[17,18,19,20]. Preliminary cell studies were performed using a pheochromacytoma cell line (PC12) to assess the indicative biocompatibility of the cryosponges
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