Nanostructured hollow tubes based on chitosan and alginate multilayers.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly enables precise control over nanometer-sized polymer films for implantable devices.
• Developing tubular structures with tunable properties is crucial for tissue engineering applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create nanostructured hollow multilayer tubes using LbL assembly and template leaching.
• To investigate the impact of genipin cross-linking on the physical-chemical and mechanical properties of these tubes.
• To evaluate the biological performance of the fabricated tubes for cell adhesion, viability, and proliferation.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of hollow multilayer tubes via LbL assembly and template leaching.
• Characterization using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), microscopy, swelling tests, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA).
• Assessment of cell adhesion, viability, and proliferation on the tubular structures.

Main Results:

• Genipin cross-linking significantly improved the robustness and mechanical properties (storage and Young's modulus doubled) of the polymer films.
• Cross-linking reduced water uptake from approximately 390% to 110%.
• Cross-linked tubes demonstrated enhanced cell adhesion and spreading compared to uncross-linked controls.

Conclusions:

• Genipin cross-linking is an effective method to enhance the mechanical integrity and reduce swelling of LbL-assembled hollow polymer tubes.
• The improved physical-chemical properties of cross-linked tubes support better cell adhesion and spreading.
• These nanostructured hollow tubes show promise for developing advanced tubular constructs in tissue engineering.