Macroporous chitosan/methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) based cryosponges with unique morphology for tissue engineering applications

Abstract

Three-dimensional porous scaffolds are widely employed in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine for their ability to carry bioactives and cells; and for their platform properties to allow for bridging-the-gap within an injured tissue. This study describes the effect of various methoxypolyethylene glycol (mPEG) derivatives (mPEG (-OCH3 functionality), mPEG-aldehyde (mPEG-CHO) and mPEG-acetic acid (mPEG-COOH)) on the morphology and physical properties of chemically crosslinked, semi-interpenetrating polymer network (IPN), chitosan (CHT)/mPEG blend cryosponges. Physicochemical and molecular characterization revealed that the –CHO and –COOH functional groups in mPEG derivatives interacted with the –NH2 functionality of the chitosan chain. The distinguishing feature of the cryosponges was their unique morphological features such as fringe thread-, pebble-, curved quartz crystal-, crystal flower-; and canyon-like structures. The morphological data was well corroborated by the image processing data and physisorption curves corresponding to Type II isotherm with open hysteresis loops. Functionalization of mPEG had no evident influence on the macro-mechanical properties of the cryosponges but increased the matrix strength as determined by the rheomechanical analyses. The cryosponges were able to deliver bioactives (dexamethasone and curcumin) over 10 days, showed varied matrix degradation profiles, and supported neuronal cells on the matrix surface. In addition, in silico simulations confirmed the compatibility and molecular stability of the CHT/mPEG blend compositions. In conclusion, the study confirmed that significant morphological variations may be induced by minimal functionalization and crosslinking of biomaterials.

Biomimetic Tendrils by Four Dimensional Printing Bimorph Springs with Torsion and Contraction Properties Based on Bio‐Compatible Graphene/Silk Fibroin and Poly(3‐Hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐Hydroxyvalerate)

“…Envisioning a biomedical application, the effect of the UV irradiation, as a procedure for maintaining the decontamination and preventing infections [54,55] in the unfortunate case of surface contamination, was investigated. In Figure 8A,B the FTIR spectra of the materials that compose the 4D printed structure, before and after the UV irradiation, do not show any significant modification of the chemical structure, indicating that UV treatment is a viable strategy that can be easily performed in the operating room prior to the device implantation.…”

Phytofabricated ZnO-NPs mediated by Hibiscus tiliaceus leaf extract and its potential as a diosgenin delivery vehicle

“…This functional group is identical to diosgenin (double bond in the cyclic ring). 45 However, when compared with the spectrum of pure diosgenin, there is a wavenumber shi, indicating a bond's formation. These peaks still appeared aer the release of diosgenin at pH 5.5 and 7.4, indicating the presence of organic compounds with double bonds that remained bound to the ZnO-NPs due to the extractmediated phytofabrication process.…”

Fabrication of Interpenetrating Polymer Network-Based Hydrogel for Colon-Targeted Release of Nateglinide

“…. Over the years, formulators have focused fabricated these IPNs into various dosage forms [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] . They have also made them smarter by making them respond to stimuli such as magnets 24 , temperature 25 , pH 26 , ions 27 , electrons 28 , and light 29 .…”