Assessment of Cytocompatibility and Anti-Inflammatory (Inter)Actions of Genipin-Crosslinked Chitosan Powders

Abstract

<jats:p>Chitosan is a polysaccharide commonly used, together with its derivatives, in the preparation of hydrogel formulations, scaffolds and films for tissue engineering applications. Chitosan can be used as such, but it is commonly stabilized by means of chemical crosslinkers. Genipin is one of the crosslinkers that has been considered that is a crystalline powder extracted from the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides and processed to obtain an aglycon compound. Genipin is gaining interest in biological applications because of its natural origin and anti-inflammatory actions. In this paper, the ability of chitosan-based materials crosslinked with genipin to exert anti-inflammation properties in applications such as bone regeneration was studied. Powders obtained from chitosan–genipin scaffolds have been tested in order to mimic the natural degradation processes occurring during biomaterials implantation in vivo. The results from osteoblast-like cells showed that specific combinations of chitosan and genipin stimulate high permissiveness towards cells, with higher performance than the pure chitosan. In parallel, evidences from monocyte-like cells showed that the crosslinker, genipin, seems to promote slowing of the monocyte-macrophage transition at morphological level. This suggests a sort of modularity of pro-inflammatory versus anti-inflammatory behavior of our chitosan-based biomaterials. Being both the cell types exposed to microscale powders, as an added value our results bring information on the cell–material interactions in the degradative dynamics of chitosan scaffold structures during the physiological resorption processes.</jats:p>

Genipin Attenuates Sepsis-Induced Splenocyte Apoptosis <i>via</i> the Inhibition of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

“…Moreover, genipin also decreased the serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α. But interestingly, TNF-α only was significantly inhibited by genipin at 36 h, not at 24 h. The reason for this observation might be that genipin limited the differentiation of monocytes into macrophages, 34) which were the major source of TNF-α. A previous study has identified that the peak time of recruited monocytes was at 24 h after CLP, and monocytes were essential for defense against sepsis.…”

Application Progress of Modified Chitosan and Its Composite Biomaterials for Bone Tissue Engineering

“…There is also evidence proving that genipin can be exploited in bioactive scaffolding systems able to finely tune the role of inflammatory cells towards a regenerative phenotype while avoiding chronic inflammation and the resulting fibrotic capsule [ 174 ]. Simona Dimida et al used human monocyte-like THP-1 cells to evaluate their inflammatory morphological responses towards the suspension–adhesion transition under treatments with Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) on a genipin-cross-linked CS scaffold [ 175 ]. Evidence from monocyte-like cells showed that the genipin seems to promote the slowing of the monocyte-macrophage transition at a morphological level.…”

Development and In Vivo Characterization of Probiotic Lysate-Treated Chitosan Nanogel as a Novel Biocompatible Formulation for Wound Healing

“…CS-NG also visualized a sound polymeric bioagent delivery system having a high drug loading capacity, stability, and switching property against physical changes, including ionic strength, pH, and temperature. Therefore, they have especially been recommended for various pharmaceutical applications, including drug delivery, antimicrobial activity, and wound healing [6,7].…”