Biopolymer-based hydrogels as injectable materials for tissue repair scaffolds

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Tissue regeneration requires biocompatible materials mimicking native tissue properties.
• Injectable scaffolds are crucial for minimally invasive delivery to tissue defects.
• Existing methods for collagen gel crosslinking have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize novel injectable collagen-chitosan hydrogels crosslinked in situ with genipin.
• To investigate the microrheological properties and physico-chemical characteristics of these hydrogels.
• To evaluate the biocompatibility and cell viability of the developed hydrogels.

Main Methods:

• Collagen and collagen-chitosan gels were crosslinked in situ using genipin.
• Steady-state fluorescence anisotropy was employed to study the gel microenvironment.
• Physico-chemical properties (crosslinking degree, swelling, microviscosity, degradation) were analyzed.
• Mesenchymal stem cell viability and cytotoxicity were assessed.

Main Results:

• The developed hydrogels exhibited rapid gelation at physiological temperatures, suitable for injection.
• Genipin concentration and chitosan addition influenced crosslinking, swelling, microviscosity, and degradation.
• Surface wettability correlated strongly with mesenchymal stem cell viability.
• Collagen-chitosan hydrogels demonstrated superior biocompatibility in cytotoxicity studies.

Conclusions:

• In situ genipin crosslinked collagen-chitosan hydrogels are promising injectable biomaterials for tissue regeneration.
• These hydrogels possess tunable physico-chemical properties and favorable microrheological characteristics.
• The enhanced biocompatibility and injectability position these materials for advanced regenerative medicine applications.