Cross-linking of gelatin and chitosan complex nanofibers for tissue-engineering scaffolds

J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. 2011;22(8):1099-113. doi: 10.1163/092050610X499447. Epub 2010 Jul 2.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate cross-linked gelatin-chitosan nanofibers produced by means of electrospinning. Gelatin and chitosan nanofibers were electrospun and then cross-linked by glutaraldehyde (GTA) vapor at room temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that the cross-linked mats could keep their nanofibrous structure after being soaked in deionized water at 37° C. The cross-linking mechanism was discussed based on FT-IR results. The two main mechanisms of cross-linking for chitosan and gelatin-chitosan complex are Schiff base reaction and acetalization reaction. For gelatin, the mechanism of cross-linking was Schiff base reaction. The mechanical properties of nanofibrous mats were improved after cross-linking. The biocompatibility of electrospun nanofibrous mats after cross-linking was investigated by the viability of porcine iliac endothelial cells (PIECs). The morphologies of PIECs on the cross-linked nanofibrous mats were observed by SEM. In addition, proliferation of PIECs was tested with the method of methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The results indicate that gelatin-chitosan nanofibrous mats could be a promising candidate for tissue-engineering scaffolds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chitosan / chemistry*
  • Gelatin / chemistry*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Nanofibers / chemistry*
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • Swine
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry*

Substances

  • Gelatin
  • Chitosan