Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 1, 2026

Neonatal Cardiac Scaffolds: Novel Matrices for Regenerative Studies
Published on: November 5, 2016
Chitosan/Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) Matrices Obtained by Gamma-Irradiation for Skin Scaffolds: Characterization and
Maria Helena Casimiro1, Susana R Gomes2, Gabriela Rodrigues3
1Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares (C2TN), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, 2695-066 Bobadela, LRS, Portugal. casimiro@ctn.tecnico.ulisboa.pt.
Abstract:
Several studies have shown that chitosan possesses characteristics favorable for promoting dermal regeneration and accelerated wound healing. In this work we have reported the work that has been done on the development and characterization of biocompatible and biodegradable chitosan based matrices to be used as skin scaffolds. Poly(vinylpyrrrolidone) (PVP) was used as copolymer and a two steps methodology of freeze-drying and gamma irradiation was used to obtain the porous matrices. The influence of PVP content, synthesis procedure and absorbed radiation dose on matrices' physical, chemical and structural properties was evaluated by ATR-FTIR, TGA, SEM, contact angle measurements and degradation behavior. The in vitro cellular viability and proliferation of HFFF2 fibroblast cell line was analyzed as a measure of matrices' biocompatibility and ability to assist skin regeneration. Results show that over the studied range values, gamma-radiation dose, copolymer concentration and synthesis procedure can be used to tailor the matrices' morphology in terms of porosity and surface roughness. Early results from biological assays evidence the biocompatibility of the prepared chitosan/PVP matrices since cells adhered to the surface of all matrices (chitosan/PVP (5%) γ-irradiated at 10 kGy presents the higher cellular viability). These features show that the resultant matrices could be a potential suitable scaffold for skin tissue regeneration.
Related Concept Videos
Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells
Diversity in Cell Signaling Responses
Graded and Abrupt Responses
Some signaling systems generate...
Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
Cells of the Innate Immune Response
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
Target Cell Response to Hormones
Notably, the cellular response can be regulated by altering the number of receptors expressed in the cell. For example, prolonged exposure to elevated hormone levels results in a gradual decline or down-regulation in the number of receptors for that specific hormone on the cell surface. Conversely, in response to low hormone levels, cells may use up-regulation, producing an...

