Chitosan Poly(vinyl alcohol) Methacrylate Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering Scaffolds

Abstract

A major challenge in tissue engineering scaffolds is controlling scaffold degradation rates during healing while maintaining mechanical properties to support tissue formation. Hydrogels are threedimensional matrices that are widely applied as tissue scaffolds based on their unique properties that can mimic the extracellular matrix. In this study, we develop a hybrid natural/synthetic hydrogel platform to tune the properties for tissue engineering scaffold applications. We modified chitosan and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with photo-cross-linkable methacrylate functional groups and then synthesized a library of chitosan PVA methacrylate hydrogels (ChiPVAMA) with two different photoinitiators, Irgacure 2959 (I2959) and lithium phenyl-2,4,6trimethylbenzoylphosphinate (LAP). ChiPVAMA hydrogels showed tunability in degradation rates and mechanical properties based on both the polymer content and photoinitiator type. This tunability could enable their application in a range of tissue scaffold applications. In a 2D scratch wound healing assay, all hydrogel samples induced faster wound closure compared to a gauze clinical wound dressing control. NIH/3T3 cells encapsulated in hydrogels showed a high viability (∼92%) over 14 days, demonstrating the capacity of this system as a supportive cell scaffold. In addition, hydrogels containing a higher chitosan content demonstrated a high antibacterial capacity. Overall, ChiPVAMA hydrogels provide a potential tissue engineering scaffold that is tunable, degradable, and suitable for cell growth.

Preparation and Characterization of Hydrogels Fabricated From Chitosan and Poly(vinyl alcohol) for Tissue Engineering Applications

“…synthesized chitosan PVA methacrylate hydrogels with modified photo-cross-linkable methacrylate functional groups and different photoinitiators, which promoted faster wound closure and high cell viability. The system’s antibacterial capacity and tunable nature suggest its potential as a versatile and supportive scaffold for tissue engineering applications …”