Evaluation of the proliferation of adipose cells in fibrin and chitosan scaffolds: A systematic review

Abstract

Introduction: Currently the matrices are used for the regeneration of organs and tissues. Among the most used natural polymers are chitosan and fibrin. These matrices provide a three-dimensional environment, with adequate biomechanical characteristics, which allow cell proliferation, migration and differentiation. The aim of the present study was to carry out a systematic review of those scientific works that try to “evaluate the in vitro proliferation capacity of adipose stem cells on fibrin and chitosan scaffolds”. Materials and Methods: A literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Proquest and Science direct databases, using specific search terms, from January 2006 to December 2019. Two investigators independently determined the eligibility of the studies. The articles were preselected considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Information on cell morphology, polymer dimensional change behavior, cell isolation and characterization, growth, viability, survival rate and evaluation / cytotoxicity of cells was extracted from the selected articles; when data were missing, the authors of the publication were contacted. The description of the methods to obtain cell proliferation data using metabolic tests such as: (MTT), (MTS), WST-1, LIVE-DEAD, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy or fluorescence microscopy was considered. A checklist was used to assess the items and the concordance index was determined for the two researchers. Results: The initial search yielded 165 publications, of which 100 were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. Sixty-five were reviewed in full text, 58 were excluded because they found duplicates, presented a combination of chitosan and fibrin with other compounds, or because not all the information was found for the evaluation of methodological rigor. Finally, seven articles were selected and submitted to methodological evaluation. Conclusion: Selected studies demonstrate the biological and mechanical advantages of fibrin and chitosan biomaterials and their ability to stimulate cell proliferation. These biomaterials could be considered as options to be used as matrices in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine protocols. Future research on the evaluation of cell proliferation on any biomaterial should be aimed at proposing rigorous methodology that allows obtaining reliable results.