Biocompatible Porous Scaffolds from Derivatized PVA Composites

Introduction: Many polymer supports for cell seeding formulations based on chitosan are usually prepared by chemical cross-linking with glutaraldehyde, urea formaldehyde, epichlorohydrine, even if the chemical cross-linking agents possibly induce toxicity and other undesirable effects. Experimental: Derivatized poly (vinyl alcohol) was blended and foamed with chitosan to produce porous scaffolds with improved elastic and mechanical properties and also acceptable water solubility. Derivatized PVA (in example phosphorylated PVA) (P-PVA) also exhibited improved hydrophilicity, anionic properties and molecular electrostatic repulsion, and retained the bulk morphological features, compatible property, and solution stability. Results: Porous scaffolds formed by derivatized PVA crosslinked with chitosan proved a good cytocompatibility for human fibroblasts. Viability and apoptosis assays were performed indicating that this porous scaffold allow cell multiplication and scarce apoptotic induction. Conclusion: Tested porous scaffolds may represent an interesting support for three dimensional cell cultures destined to simulate tumor or normal tissue microenvironment.