Microchannels are effective means of enabling the functional performance of tissue engineering scaffolds. Chitosan, a partial deacetylation derivative of chitin, exhibiting excellent biocompatibility, has been widely used in clinical practice. However, development of chitosan scaffolds with controllable microchannels architecture remains an engineering challenge. Here, we generated chitosan scaffolds with adjustable microchannel by combining a 3D printing microfiber templates-leaching method and a freeze-drying method. We can precisely control the arrangement, diameter and density of microchannel within chitosan scaffolds. Moreover, the integrated bilayer scaffolds with the desired structural parameters in each layer were fabricated and exhibited no delamination. The flow rate and volume of the simulated fluid can be modulated by diverse channels architecture. Additionally, the microchannel structure promoted cell survival, proliferation and distribution in vitro, and improved cell and tissue ingrowth and vascular formation in vivo. This study opens a new road for constructing chitosan scaffolds, and can further extend their application scope across tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Keywords: 3D printing microfiber templates; Cell infiltration; Chitosan scaffolds; Microchannel.
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