Heparinized Chitosan/hydroxyapatite Scaffolds Stimulate Angiogenesis in CAM Assay: Future Proangiogenic Materials to Promote Neovascularization to Accelerate Bone Regeneration

Abstract

Formation of blood vessels during bone regeneration represents a major challenge for tissue engineered constructs. Poor revascularization can lead to scaffold failure and consequently, leads to non-healing fracture. Heparin is known to bind with angiogenic growth factors influencing the process of new blood vessels formation. There are several problems associated with the use of growth factors in clinic such as low stability, controlled delivery to the site, and price. The aim of the present study was to explore the potential of heparin to produce pro-angiogenic bone regeneration materials. Chitosan/hydroxyapatite freeze-gelled scaffolds were prepared and loaded with heparin. Different concentrations of heparin were successfully loaded onto the scaffolds, its release from the scaffold was analysed by toluidine blue assay and their angiogenic effect was evaluated by chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay to determine the optimal concentration of heparin to induce a proangiogenic effect. It was noted that low heparin concentrations exhibited a positive effect, with approximately 28 µg per scaffold indicating a significant increment in blood vessels. The synthesized materials showed no cytotoxic effects when evaluated by using U2OS cell line.

Enhancing Mechanical Properties and Biological Performances of Injectable Bioactive Glass by Gelatin and Chitosan for Bone Small Defect Repair

“…Finally, the presence of polymers and in particular of chitosan seems to promote the recruitment of endothelial cells thus probably favoring angiogenesis within scaffold pores; a similar effect was observed by Najera-Romero et al [ 66 ] who demonstrated that heparinized chitosan/hydroxyapatite scaffolds promoted angiogenesis and ameliorated bone regeneration.…”

Enhancing Mechanical Properties and Biological Performances of Injectable Bioactive Glass by Gelatin and Chitosan for Bone Small Defect Repair

“…Finally, the presence of polymers and in particular of chitosan seems to promote the recruitment of endothelial cells thus probably favouring angiogenesis within scaffold pores; a similar effect was observed by Najera-Romero et al [65] heparinized chitosan/hydroxyapatite scaffolds promoted angiogenesis and ameliorated bone regeneration.…”