The chondrocyte cell proliferation of a chitosan/silk fibroin/egg shell membrane hydrogels

Articular cartilage is a poorly cellularized, non-vascularized connective tissue that undergoes alterations due to trauma and osteoarthritis. Tissue engineering strategies involving the combination of cells, biomaterials and bioactive agents have been of interest notably for the repair of damaged articular cartilage. The aim of this study was to design Chitosan/Silk Fibroin/Egg Shell Membrane (CHI/SF/ESM) hydrogels and analyse the cell proliferation activity of human chondrocyte cells. The FTIR spectrophotometer, XRD analysis, ICP-MS, SEM analysis, swelling kinetics and biodegradation tests with protease enzyme, and antibacterial activity test with Escherichia coli, Candida albicans have been used for characterization of hydrogels. CHI/SF/ESM hydrogel structures, and chemical homogeneity of the ECM was well-reproduced. Human articular chondrocytes were seeded on hydrogels and cultured up to 2 weeks under the standard culture conditions. The attachment and cell growth of chondrocytes were examined by phase contrast microscopy and by MTT assay at 24 h, 72 h and 7 days. The hydrogel supported better adhesion, growth and differentiation of chondrocyte cells under standard culture conditions. The results obtained have suggested that, CHI/SF/ESM hydrogels can potentially function as a promising cartilage substitute for tissue engineering application.