Journal article

Polylysine-functionalised thermoresponsive chitosan hydrogel for neural tissue engineering

KE Crompton, JD Goud, RV Bellamkonda, TR Gengenbach, DI Finkelstein, MK Horne, JS Forsythe

BIOMATERIALS | ELSEVIER SCI LTD | Published : 2007

Abstract

Foetal mouse cortical cells were cultured on 2D films and within 3D thermally responsive chitosan/glycerophosphate salt (GP) hydrogels. The biocompatibility of chitosan/GP 2D films was assessed in terms of cell number and neurites per cell. Osmolarity of the hydrogel was a critical factor in promoting cell survival with isotonic GP concentrations providing optimal conditions. To improve cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth, poly-D-lysine (PDL) was immobilised onto chitosan via azidoaniline photocoupling. Increase in PDL concentrations did not alter cell survival in 2D cultures but neurite outgrowth was significantly inhibited. Neurons exhibited a star-like morphology typical of 2D culture sys..

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