BIOE 344: Biomaterials Assignment

ARTICLE CHOSEN:

Fabrication and characterization of chitosan-based composite scaffolds for neural tissue engineering. (2022).
Retrieved May 30, 2022, from International Journal of Polymeric Materials and Polymeric Biomaterials website:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00914037.2021.1915783?journalCode=gpom20

PART 1

TITLE

“Fabrication and characterization of chitosan-based composite scaffolds for neural tissue engineering”

AIM

The paper aims to create and test the properties of three proposed composites (chitosan-hyaluronic acid-gelatin,
chitosan-collagen, chitosan-polyethylene glycol) as substitutes for nerve tissue engineering.

HYPOTHESIS

The hypothesis is based on the idea that chitosan is a promising candidate for use in nerve tissue engineering due
because it has a structure very similar to glycosaminoglycan, but, because of its inelasticity and inflexibility, it
cannot be used on its own as a nerve tissue substitute. It is hypothesized that a composite of Cs with HA, collagen,
gelatin, or PEG would have desirable properties suitable for nerve tissue engineering applications.

MATERIALS USED TO PRODUCE THE BIOMATERIAL

Chitosan (deacylated, 85000 MW) – Hyaluronic acid – epichlorohydrin – collagen (bovine, type 1) – PEG (600 MW) -
gelatin

Other materials: ethanol, acetic acid, sodium hydroxide

WHY DID THE RESEARCHERS USE THOSE MATERIALS? WHAT ARE THEIR ADVANTAGES?

Chitosan is already a good candidate for nerve tissue engineering since it has a similar structure to
glycosaminoglycans (the main component of neural and glial ECM). HA, gelatin, collagen, and PEG used in order to
increase elasticity and biocompatibility of the biomaterial composite. Alone, these materials are difficult to mold
and are very water-soluble. HA is viscoelastic, hydrophilic and biocompatible, and can be chemically modified. For
this reason, a composite that combines some properties of the aforementioned materials can be useful for nerve
tissue engineering applications.

METHOD OF SCAFFOLD PRODUCTION

1. A control Cs scaffold is prepared by dissolved Cs in acetic acid and plating the solution, which was later
freeze-dried for 24 hours. The scaffold was then soaked in EDC and NHS solution to complete crosslinking.
Acetic acid was then neutralized by ethanol-NaOH solution and the scaffolds were freeze-dried again for
24h
2. Cs/HA/Gelatin scaffold was produced by first dissolving HA and gelatin in ultrapure water, which was then
added to the same Cs solution described in (1) and the rest of the procedures are done in a similar fashion
(same as part 1).

1
BIOE 344: Biomaterials Assignment

3. Cs/Collagen scaffold was prepared by dissolving collagen in acetic acid (2% w/w) to obtain a Col solution.
Cs solution in part 1 was mixed with the Col solution. Mixture was freeze-dried, neutralized, and freeze-
dried again.
4. Cs/PEG scaffold was prepared by dissolving PEG in acetic acid (2% w/w) and mixing the solution with the
Cs solution just as in part 3.

METHODS OF CHARACTERIZATION

1. Scanning electron microscope: used to observe microstructure like pore size and pore distribution
2. Uniaxial Compression Testing Machine: used to evaluate Young’s modulus
3. Volume and weight (normal and ethanol-immersed) measurements were used to calculate total scaffold
porosity
4. Equilibrium Swelling Measurement was used to characterize liquid absorption capacity of the scaffold
5. Conductivity test was performed to measure resistivity of the scaffold
6. MTT assay was used to analyze cell proliferation
7. Live/dead assay was performed to analyze the morphology od PC12 cells on the scaffold.

PART II

NEW MATERIAL TO INCLUDE INTO THE BIOMATERIAL

Keratin can be added to any of the studied composites to create a nerve conduit filler in use for repairing
peripheral nerves. Keratin is very biocompatible and offers excellent cell adhesion properties. It is already in use
for wound healing and can be synthesized into a hydrogel form.

CHARACTERIZATION METHOD OF THE NEW BIOMATERIAL

Fourier transform infrared spectra can be analyzed to study the chemical bonds formed within the new material.
The mix of keratin, chitosan, HAgel/col/PEG can increase the chance of contamination, FTIR can characterize the
purity of the material.

DISADVANTAGE OF THE NEW MATERIAL INTRODUCED

Keratin in itself has poor mechanical properties, so it might negatively affect the properties of the entire
composite, such as making it too fragile.