Is Dialdehyde Chitosan a Good Substance to Modify Physicochemical Properties of Biopolymeric Materials? | JoVE Visualize

Is Dialdehyde Chitosan a Good Substance to Modify Physicochemical Properties of Biopolymeric Materials?

Sylwia Grabska-Zielińska¹, Alina Sionkowska², Ewa Olewnik-Kruszkowska¹

¹Department of Physical Chemistry and Physicochemistry of Polymers, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 87-100 Toruń, Poland.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences|April 3, 2021

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This study compared silk fibroin, collagen, and chitosan scaffolds cross-linked with dialdehyde starch (DAS) and dialdehyde chitosan (DAC). DAS-crosslinked scaffolds showed higher swelling and biocompatibility, suitable for bone tissue engineering.

Area of Science:

Biomaterials Science
Tissue Engineering
Polymer Chemistry

Background:

Silk fibroin, collagen, and chitosan are promising biopolymers for tissue engineering scaffolds.
Chemical cross-linking is essential to improve scaffold properties and stability.
Dialdehyde starch (DAS) and dialdehyde chitosan (DAC) are effective cross-linking agents with distinct characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare the physicochemical properties and cytocompatibility of three-dimensional scaffolds made from silk fibroin, collagen, and chitosan blends.
To evaluate the influence of two different cross-linking agents, dialdehyde starch (DAS) and dialdehyde chitosan (DAC), on scaffold characteristics.
To assess the potential of these modified scaffolds for applications in bone tissue engineering.

Main Methods:

Fabrication of silk fibroin, collagen, and chitosan scaffolds.
Cross-linking with commercially available dialdehyde starch (DAS) and synthesized dialdehyde chitosan (DAC).
Characterization using FTIR-ATR, swelling tests, porosity and density measurements, SEM, mechanical testing, and thermogravimetric analysis.
Cytocompatibility assessment with MG-63 osteoblast-like cells using AlamarBlue assay and live/dead staining.

Main Results:

Both DAS and DAC effectively modified the properties of the biopolymeric scaffolds.
DAS-crosslinked scaffolds exhibited significantly higher swelling (~4000%) compared to DAC-crosslinked scaffolds (~2500%).
DAS-crosslinked scaffolds had lower density and reduced mechanical properties (lower maximum deformation) than DAC-crosslinked scaffolds.
Scaffolds cross-linked with DAS demonstrated superior biocompatibility with MG-63 cells compared to those cross-linked with DAC.

Conclusions:

The choice of cross-linking agent (DAS vs. DAC) significantly impacts the physicochemical properties and biocompatibility of silk fibroin, collagen, and chitosan scaffolds.
DAS-crosslinked scaffolds offer higher swelling and better biocompatibility, making them promising for bone tissue engineering.
Both DAS and DAC cross-linked scaffolds show potential for supporting bone regeneration and healing small bone defects.