Effect of crosslinking methods on the structure and biocompatibility of polyvinyl alcohol/gelatin cryogels

Abstract

In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and gelatin based cryogels were prepared by crosslinking chemically or physically for tissue engineering applications. Different PVA/Gelatin ratios (100:0, 90:10, 70:30, 50:50) and crosslinking methods have been used to prepare cryogels; chemical and physical structure of the prepared matrices were analysed by FTIR and SEM; swelling and degradation profiles were followed. Chemical and physical crosslinking was obtained by using glutaraldehyde as crosslinker and by applying freeze thawing cycle, respectively. Gelatin concentration and crosslinking method had significant effect on the pore size, swelling ratio and degradation profiles of the cryogels. Biocompatibility of the cryogels were also investigated by MTT assay. SEM was used to investigate the cell morphology on the scaffolds. The MTT assay findings prove that physically crosslinked PVA/Gelatin scaffolds are more biocompatible and enhance more the adhesion and proliferation of mouse embryonic fibroblast cells (MEF) than chemically crosslinked PVA/Gelatin scaffolds. The overall results demonstrated that, the PVA/Gelatin cyrogels as a suitable biomaterial for tissue engineering applications and crosslinking methods affect the architecture and characteristic properties of the cryogels.

A tracheal scaffold of gelatin-chondroitin sulfate-hyaluronan-polyvinyl alcohol with orientated porous structure

“…Glutaraldehyde was used as the cross-linker, which has been used in many former studies although the risk of its cytotoxicity and its influence on biodegradability should not be overlooked (Ceylan, Gokturk & Bolgen, 2016;Dinescu et al, 2013;Ulubayram, Aksu, Gurhan, Serbetci & Hasirci, 2002;Yang, Chen, Chen & Lin, 2005). PVA were further combined to modify the mechanical properties of GCH composite scaffold.…”

Dietary polyvinyl alcohol and alginate nanofibers ameliorate hyperglycemia by reducing insulin and glucose-metabolizing enzyme levels in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

“…Functional group tests using FTIR showed that the PVA and alginate nanofibers were stable at an 8:2 ratio compared to fibers with only alginate or PVA ( Figure-2 ). Such polymer mixtures are reported to have biocompatible properties and stable functional groups [ 21 ].…”

Poly(vinyl alcohol)–Carbon Nanodots Fluorescent Hydrogel with Superior Mechanical Properties and Sensitive to Detection of Iron(III) Ions

“…The surface morphology of PVA‐CNDs fluorescent hydrogel was more compact than pure PVA hydrogel. The pure PVA hydrogels formed by entanglement of PVA chains, presenting disordered pores . Displaying hydrogels with various sizes of pore structures in SEM images implied that the network structure formed by the cross‐linking of PVA and CNDs was more uniform and smaller, so that the hydrogel had excellent mechanical properties .…”

“…The pure PVA hydrogels formed by entanglement of PVA chains, presenting disordered pores. [62,63] Displaying hydrogels with various sizes of pore structures in SEM images implied that the network structure formed by the cross-linking of PVA and CNDs was more uniform and smaller, so that the hydrogel had excellent mechanical properties. [2,64] Besides, PVA-CNDs hydrogels exhibited interconnected and relatively ordered porous network structures.…”