Evaluation of the biocompatibility of a chitosan scaffold in mice

Abstract

Chitosan scaffolds appear to be suitable for a variety of tissue engineering applications. This study addressed the biocompatibility of chitosan in a mouse implantation model. Porous chitosan scaffolds were implanted in mice, and animals were sacrificed after 1, 2, 4, 8, or 12 weeks. Macroscopic inspection of the implantation site revealed no pathological inflammatory responses. Histological assessment indicated marked neutrophil accumulation within the implant, which resolved with increasing implantation time. Gram staining and limulus assays revealed no evidence of infection or endotoxin. Collagen was observed within the chitosan pore spaces, indicating that connective tissue matrix was deposited within the implant. Angiogenic activity associated with the external implant surface was also observed. Cellular immune responses were determined by lymphocyte proliferation assays, and antibody responses were measured using ELISA techniques. These assays indicated a very low incidence of chitosan-specific reactions. Although there was a large migration of neutrophils into the implantation area, there were minimal signs of any inflammatory reaction to the material itself. This preliminary study demonstrates that chitosan has a high degree of biocompatibility in this animal model. Overall, the findings suggest that chitosan may be suitable for the development of implantable materials.

Targeted delivery of a novel anticancer compound anisomelic acid using chitosan-coated porous silica nanorods for enhancing the apoptotic effect

“…These results are in agreement with previous studies, indicating that chitosan improves the cell proliferation and induces no cytotoxic effects on the cells. 34,35 These results are promising for the determination of the biocompatibility of Chitosan and FAchitosan-coated NR-MSPs, crucial for their use in vivo, even though evaluation of the complete in vivo biocompatibility picture obviously is much more complex than what can be determined using cell viability assays. 36 (FACS) and confocal microscopy techniques.…”

Incorporation of PLGA nanoparticles into porous chitosan–gelatin scaffolds: Influence on the physical properties and cell behavior

“…Scaffolds based on CH have been reported to display hydrophilic and cell adhesive/differentiating characteristics (VandeVord et al, 2002;Suh and Matthew, 2000).…”

Inclusões de quitosana no subcutâneo de rato: avaliação clínica, histológica e morfométrica

“…8,9 No entanto, a biocompatibilidade de um material depende de diversos fatores inerentes ao organismo, como a espécie, a herança genética e o local de implantação ou ação, e ao material em si; e inerentes ao material que são a sua forma, tamanho, rugosidade e química de superfície, composição, morfologia, duração do contato com o organismo e degradação. Os polímeros naturais são geralmente biodegradáveis e possuem excelente biocompatibilidade quando comparados aos polímeros sintéticos.…”