Chitosan supports the expression of extracellular matrix proteins in human osteoblasts and chondrocytes

Abstract

The search for biocompatible materials that can support the growth and phenotypic expression of osteoblasts and chondrocytes is a major challenge in the application of tissue engineering techniques for the repair of bone and cartilage defects. Chitosan, a copolymer of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine, may provide an answer to this search. Chitosan is the deacetylated product of chitin, a ubiquitous biopolymer found in the exoskeleton of insects and marine invertebrates. Little is known about the utility of chitosan in propagating human osteoblasts and chondrocytes. In this study, we test the hypothesis that chitosan promotes the survival and function of osteoblasts and chondrocytes. Chitosan (4%, w/v in 2% HAc) was coated onto plastic coverslips that had been fitted into 24-well plates. Human osteoblasts and articular chondrocytes were seeded on either uncoated or chitosan-coated coverslips at 1 x 10(5)/cells per well. Cultures were incubated at 37 degrees C, 5% CO(2) for a period of 7 days. Cell viability was assessed at that time using a fluorescent molecular probe. The phenotypic expression of osteoblasts and chondrocytes was analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry. Osteoblasts and chondrocytes appeared spherical and refractile on chitosan-coated coverslips. In contrast, greater than 90% of cells on plastic coverslips were elongated and spindle shaped after 7 days of culture. Similar to cells propagated on uncoated control wells, greater than 90% of human osteoblasts and chondrocytes propagated on chitosan remained viable. Human osteoblasts propagated on chitosan films continued to express collagen type I whereas chondrocytes expressed collagen type II and aggrecan, as shown by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis and immunostaining. The present in vitro work demonstrates the biocompatibility of chitosan as a substrate for the growth and continued function of human osteoblasts and chondrocytes. Chitosan may have potential use as a tissue engineering tool for the repair of osseous and chondral defects.

Thermo‐Responsive Chitosan‐graft‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) Injectable Hydrogel for Cultivation of Chondrocytes and Meniscus Cells

“…[11,[15][16][17][18] One such GAG analog is chitosan, which is derived from chitin by deacetylation and consists mainly of b-(1,4)-linked D-glucosamine subunits and some N-acetyl glucosamine residues. [19][20][21] Using chitosan to develop a cell-based repair material for cartilage and meniscus has many advantages, including its biocompatibility, non-toxicity, bioactivity, biodegradability, and ease of modification through hydroxy and amino groups. [20,22] Therefore, it is expected that chitosan can mimic the in vivo condition for cultivating chondrocytes and meniscus cells.…”

Biomimetic Polysaccharides and Derivatives for Cartilage Tissue Regeneration

“…CS has been investigated as a scaffolding material in cartilage engineering [37,38]. Chondrocytes cultured in vitro on CS substrates, maintained rounded morphology and preserved synthesis of cell-specifi c ECM molecules [38].…”

“…Chondrocytes cultured in vitro on CS substrates, maintained rounded morphology and preserved synthesis of cell-specifi c ECM molecules [38]. CS scaffolds seeded with chondrocytes showed partial repair of cartilage defects in vivo.…”

Multifunctional Polymeric Nanostructures for Therapy and Diagnosis

“…These hybrid polymer fibers showed increased tensile strength, implying a possible use in developing a 3D load-bearing scaffold for cartilage regeneration. Chondrocytes cultured on chitosan substrates in vitro maintained a round morphology and were cell-specific [302,303].…”