Novel genipin cross-linked chitosan-silk fibroin sponges for cartilage engineering strategies

摘要

The positive interaction of materials with tissues is an important step in regenerative medicine strategies. Hydrogelsthat are obtained from polysaccharides and proteins are expected to mimic the natural cartilage environment andthus provide an optimum milleu for tissue growth and regeneration. In this work, novel hydrogels composed ofblends of chitosan and Bombyx mori silk fibroin were cross-linked with genipin (G) and were freeze dried toobtain chitosan/silk (CSG) sponges. CSG sponges possess stable and ordered structures because of proteinconformational changes from R-helix/random-coil to -sheet structure, distinct surface morphologies, and pH/swelling dependence at pH 3, 7.4, and 9. We investigated the cytotoxicity of CSG sponge extracts by using L929fibroblast-like cells. Furthermore, we cultured ATDC5 cells onto the sponges to evaluate the CSG sponges’ potentialin cartilage repair strategies. These novel sponges promoted adhesion, proliferation, and matrix production ofchondrocyte-like cells. Sponges’ intrinsic properties and biological results suggest that CSG sponges may bepotential candidates for cartilage tissue engineering (TE) strategies.