Enhanced performance of chitosan/keratin membranes with potential application in peripheral nerve repair

last updated: 2019-11-25
ProjectTERM - Programa Doutoramento Norte 2020 :: publications list
TitleEnhanced performance of chitosan/keratin membranes with potential application in peripheral nerve repair
Publication TypePapers in Scientific Journals
Year of Publication2019
AuthorsCarvalho C. R., Costa J. B., Costa L., Silva-Correia J., Moay Z. K., Ng K. W., Reis R. L., and Oliveira J. M.
Abstract

Although surgical management of peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) has improved over time, autographs are still the current “gold standard” treatment for PNIs, which presents numerous limitations. In an attempt to improve natural biomaterial-based nerve guidance conduits (NGCs), chitosan (CHT), a derivative of the naturally occurring biopolymer chitin, has been explored for peripheral nerve regeneration (PNR). In addition to CHT, keratin has gained enormous attention as a biomaterial and tissue engineering scaffolding. In this study, biomimetic CHT/keratin membranes were produced using solvent casting technique. These membranes were broadly characterized in terms of surface topography and physicochemical properties, with techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differencial Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), contact angle measurments, weight loss and water uptake, as well as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic force microscopy (AFM). Biological in vitro assays were also performed, where a preliminary cytotoxicity screening with L929 fibroblast cell line revealed that the membranes and respective materials are suitable for cell culture. In addition, Schwann cells, fibroblasts and endothelial cells were directly seeded in the membranes. Quantitative and qualitative assays revealed that the addition of keratin enchanced cell viablity and adhesion. Based on the in vitro encouraging results, the in vivo angiogenic/antiangiogenic potential of CHT and CHT/keratin membranes was assessed, using an optimized chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay, where higher angiogenic responses were seen in keratin-enriched materials. Overall, the obtained results indicate the higher potential of CHT/keratin membranes for guided tissue regeneration applications in the field of PNR.

JournalBiomaterials Science
Volume7
Issue12
Pagination5451-5466
Date Published2019-10-17
PublisherThe Royal Society of Chemistry
ISSN2047-4849
DOI10.1039/C9BM01098J
URLhttps://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2019/BM/C9BM01098J#!divAbstract
KeywordsBiomaterials, Chitosan, keratin, membranes, peripheral nerves
RightsopenAccess
Peer reviewedyes
Statuspublished

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