Novel natural-synthetic hydrogel scaffolds with applications in skin tissue repair and engineering

Novel hydrogel scaffolds were prepared in the aim to obtain materials with tailored properties for biomedical applications, especially for skin tissue repair and engineering. The influence of the initiating parameters of synthesis on the physical and chemical properties, as well as their biocompatibility, was evaluated. Chemically modified chitosan was crosslinked with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), followed by arginine coupling. The structure was confirmed by FTIR spectra and the SEM images confirmed the expected internal morphology, namely a 3D porous network with interconnected pores. The swelling properties were investigated in different media and the equilibrium swelling degree was found to be in direct relation with the chemical structure. The study of biodegradability proved that the digestion in presence of lysozyme depended on the pore size and the access of the enzyme to the chitosan backbone. Furthermore, MTT assays indicated citocompatibility towards stem cells.