Our objective in this work was to summarize the main results obtained in processing pure chitosan and chitosan/hyaluronan complex in view of biomedical applications, taking advantage of their original properties. In addition, an electrospinning technique was selected to prepare nanofiber mats well adapted for tissue engineering in relation to the large porosity of the materials, allowing an exchange with the environment. The optimum conditions for preparation of purified and stable nanofibers in aqueous solution and phosphate buffer pH = 7.4 are described. Their mechanical properties and degree of swelling are given. Then, the prepared biomaterials are investigated to test their advantage for chondrocyte development after comparison of nanofiber mats and uniform films. For that purpose, the adhesion of cells is studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) using single-cell force spectroscopy, showing the good adhesion of chondrocytes on chitosan. At the end, adhesion and proliferation of chondrocytes in vitro are examined and clearly show the interest of chitosan nanofiber mats compared to chitosan film for potential application in tissue engineering.
Keywords: AFM; PEC; chitosan; chondrocyte development; electrospinning; hyaluronan; nanofiber.