Poly (Vinyl Alcohol)-Gelatin Interpenetrating Network Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering Applications

摘要

Through a systemic solidification process, interpenetrating network hydrogels were obtained from the physical crosslinking of PVA and gelatin and the diffusion of PEG for pore formation. Pore size was optimized by varying PEG Mw and concentration of gelatin. The bio-synthetic hydrogels are promising candidate for osteochondral tissue engineering scaffolds and warrant further investigation. Further work will include examination of PVA Mw, concentrations and strength of collagen, and PEG Mw. Future in vitro experiments will examine hMSC chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation on bi-layered scaffolds for the regeneration of osteochondral tissue. Individual layers will vary in pore size, collagen type and content, and mechanical properties.