Electrospun chitosan-based nanofibers and their cellular compatibility

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Chitosan and polyethylene oxide (PEO) are biocompatible polymers.
• Nanofibrous scaffolds are promising for tissue engineering applications.
• Controlling nanofiber properties is crucial for scaffold performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize chitosan-based nanofibers for tissue engineering.
• To investigate the effect of chitosan-to-PEO ratio on fiber morphology and spinnability.
• To evaluate the water integrity and cellular compatibility of the nanofibrous matrix.

Main Methods:

• Electrospinning of chitosan/PEO solutions with Triton X-100.
• Rheological studies to determine spinnability and fiber morphology.
• Assessment of nanofiber integrity in water.
• Cell staining assays and SEM imaging for cellular compatibility analysis.

Main Results:

• Chitosan-based nanofibers with controllable diameter (down to ~40 nm) were successfully fabricated.
• Solution viscosity, influenced by the chitosan-to-PEO ratio, significantly affected spinnability and fiber morphology.
• A chitosan/PEO ratio of 90/10 yielded a matrix with excellent integrity in water.
• The nanofibrous structure promoted human osteoblast and chondrocyte attachment, morphology, and viability.

Conclusions:

• Chitosan/PEO nanofibers are a viable material for tissue engineering scaffolds.
• The developed nanofibrous matrix exhibits good structural integrity and biocompatibility.
• This material holds potential for applications in controlled drug release and tissue remodeling.