Effect of visco-elastic silk-chitosan microcomposite scaffolds on matrix deposition and biomechanical functionality for cartilage tissue engineering

Abstract

Commonly used polymer-based scaffolds often lack visco-elastic properties to serve as a replacement for cartilage tissue. This study explores the effect of reinforcement of silk matrix with chitosan microparticles to create a visco-elastic matrix that could support the redifferentiation of expanded chondrocytes. Goat chondrocytes produced collagen type II and glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-enriched matrix on all the scaffolds (silk:chitosan 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1). The control group of silk-only constructs suffered from leaching out of GAG molecules into the medium. Chitosan-reinforced scaffolds retained a statistically significant (p < 0.02) higher amount of GAG, which in turn significantly increased (p < 0.005) the aggregate modulus (as compared to silk-only controls) of the construct akin to that of native tissue. Furthermore, the microcomposite constructs demonstrated highly pronounced hysteresis at 4% strain up to 400 cycles, mimicking the visco-elastic properties of native cartilage tissue. These results demonstrated a step towards optimizing the design of biomaterial scaffolds used for cartilage tissue engineering. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Dual Function of Glucosamine in Gelatin/Hyaluronic Acid Cryogel to Modulate Scaffold Mechanical Properties and to Maintain Chondrogenic Phenotype for Cartilage Tissue Engineering

“…However, GlcN had the largest loss tangents followed by GlcN9 and GlcN16, indicating adding GlcN enhanced the elasticity of cryogels. Enhanced cartilaginous matrix accumulation in scaffolds with increased elasticity was reported in the literature [39]. …”

Advances in three‐dimensional bioprinting of bone: Progress and challenges

“…Despite inducing crosslinking, the tensile properties of hydrogel‐based constructs (such as silk–gelatin) are significantly weaker than the native tissues (Chameettachal et al, ; Liu, Zhang, Zuo, & Zhang, ). However, with subsequent cell loading and ECM deposition, the mechanical properties of such constructs have shown improvement over time offering better stability, durability and controlled degradation (Chameettachal et al, ). Moreover, the functional properties of silk were retained as evident from the intact amide linkages in Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy data.…”

“…One probable reason is the accelerated diffusion of alcohol (methanol/ethanol) in silk constructs due to presence of gelatin, which enhances the extent of β-sheet crosslinking (Das et al, 2013). Despite inducing crosslinking, the tensile properties of hydrogel-based constructs (such as silk-gelatin) are significantly weaker than the native tissues (Chameettachal et al, 2017;Liu, Zhang, Zuo, & Zhang, 2011). However, with subsequent cell loading and ECM deposition, the mechanical properties of such constructs have shown improvement over time offering better stability, durability and controlled degradation (Chameettachal et al, 2017).…”

Establishment of in vitro model of corneal scar pathophysiology

“…The analysis was carried out with the Rotor gene Q software using the 2 −(ΔΔc(t)) method (Chawla, Kumar, Admane, Bandyopadhyay, & Ghosh, 2017). The primers were optimized with respect of cells of goat origin (Chameettachal, Murab, Vaid, Midha, & Ghosh, 2017).…”