Gelatin-based anionic hydrogel as biocompatible substrate for human keratinocyte growth

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Ionic hydrogels are biocompatible materials explored for skin tissue engineering.
• Gelatin-based hydrogels, HG1 (positively charged) and HG2 (negatively charged), were synthesized for cell culture applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the biocompatibility and efficacy of two ionic hydrogels (HG1 and HG2) for skin tissue engineering.
• To assess human keratinocyte (HaCaT) behavior and differentiation on these hydrogels.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of gelatin-based hydrogels HG1 (gelatin-polylysine) and HG2 (gelatin-polyglutamic acid).
• Culturing spontaneously immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT) on HG1 and HG2.
• Assessing cell adhesion, proliferation, and gene expression (Epilysin, Filaggrin, transglutaminase-1).

Main Results:

• HaCaT cells exhibited significantly higher adhesion and proliferation on the negatively charged HG2 compared to HG1.
• A continuous and stratified human epithelium formed on HG2 within 7 days.
• Gene expression analysis revealed decreased Epilysin and Filaggrin, and increased transglutaminase-1 in HaCaT cells on HG2.

Conclusions:

• The negatively charged ionic hydrogel HG2 supports the formation of a stratified human epithelium.
• HG2 demonstrates potential as a valuable scaffold for skin tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.