Gelatin–chitosan macroporous scaffolds integrated with customizable hollow channels for liver tissue engineering

Abstract The present study delineates the fabrication, characterization, and application of macroporous gelatin–chitosan scaffolds for liver tissue engineering. We employed high-speed stirring and mold imprinting-based strategy to prepare macroporous scaffolds having a network of customizable hollow channels. The scaffold consisted of a different ratio of gelatin and chitosan, namely, 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1. The fabricated constructs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and nanoindentation. The results demonstrated variation in the physicochemical and biological properties as a function of their polymeric composition. The scaffolds with higher gelatin content showed greater pore size, collagenase-mediated degradation, and mechanical strength, while those with higher chitosan content exhibited higher swelling and hepatocyte functionality.