An Overview on Collagen and Gelatin-Based Cryogels: Fabrication, Classification, Properties and Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Decades of research into cryogels have resulted in the development of many types of cryogels for various applications. Collagen and gelatin possess nontoxicity, intrinsic gel-forming ability and physicochemical properties, and excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, making them very desirable candidates for the fabrication of cryogels. Collagen-based cryogels (CBCs) and gelatin-based cryogels (GBCs) have been successfully applied as three-dimensional substrates for cell culture and have shown promise for biomedical use. A key point in the development of CBCs and GBCs is the quantitative and precise characterization of their properties and their correlation with preparation process and parameters, enabling these cryogels to be tuned to match engineering requirements. Great efforts have been devoted to fabricating these types of cryogels and exploring their potential biomedical application. However, to the best of our knowledge, no comprehensive overviews focused on CBCs and GBCs have been reported currently. In this review, we attempt to provide insight into the recent advances on such kinds of cryogels, including their fabrication methods and structural properties, as well as potential biomedical applications.

Superior Technique for the Production of Agarose Dressing Containing Sericin and Its Wound Healing Property

“…These results also agree with Neres Santos et al [ 55 ] who reported that an increase in freeze-thawing cycles led to less porosity. That mechanism was also found in the forming of collagen and gelatin-based cryogel prepared by the freeze-thawing method [ 56 ]. The helical structure was the main structure of agarose gelation due to its hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction [ 57 ].…”

“…Accordingly, the swelling ratio and protein release of those scaffolds were lower than the swelling ratio and protein release of scaffolds prepared using only the D method. This property may be applied in the development of further material as a controlled drug release scaffold, such as controlling active agent release and cell delivery [ 56 , 58 ]. However, the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of scaffolds prepared by the TD method were lower than those prepared by the D method, without significant difference in elongation.…”

Improved biological behaviours and osteoinductive capacity of the gelatin nanofibers while composites with GO/MgO

“…29 But gelatin, which has a high structural similarity to collagen, is one of the best alternatives to them, as cells have a high tendency to attach to it, which can well maintain them at its surface, as well as produce nanofibrous scaffolds. 30 However, in order to be able to show a good structural feature in the body temperature conditions, it is better to be under a suitable cross linking. 31 Gelatin, on the other hand, is very readily available and easy to extract from animal tissues such as ECM, cartilage and bone.…”

“…For example, the polymers naturally present in the ECM, such as collagen, elastin, fibronectin, and hyaluronic acid, have low solubility, and the resulting solutions have poor viscoelastic properties 29 . But gelatin, which has a high structural similarity to collagen, is one of the best alternatives to them, as cells have a high tendency to attach to it, which can well maintain them at its surface, as well as produce nanofibrous scaffolds 30 …”

Glycosaminoglycan-Based Cryogels as Scaffolds for Cell Cultivation and Tissue Regeneration

“…Despite the multitude of work on cryogels, we would like to highlight here the major fields of application and the specific advantages of GAG-based cryogels as scaffolds in cell cultivation and tissue engineering. It should be mentioned that in numerous described applications, composite cryogels made of GAG components with protein-based materials are used [ 98 , 99 , 100 ].…”