Development of genipin crosslinked gelatin matrices on surface interaction: enhancing the biocompatibility by attenuating sterile inflammation

Abstract The inflammation can be stimulated by the surgical implantation and biomaterial presence through the foreign body via bio-interface. Macrophages play a key role in the interaction of host tissue to implant surfaces. In present study, the immuno-inflammatory responses of genipin crosslinked gelatin matrices (GCGM) to macrophages in vitro and the host tissue surfaces in rats were investigated. The results showed that the mechanical properties, swelling and degradation of gelatin matrices were improved by the crosslinking of genipin at physiological conditions. The macrophage on the surface of GCGM could avoid to be activated. The interaction of macrophage and GCGM suggested that GCGM could reduce the inflammatory response with downregulating the production and mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The anti-inflammatory effect of GCGM was demonstrated to be related to inhibit nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Furthermore, gelatin matrices crosslinked with genipin could decrease the acute and chronic inflammatory response interacting with host tissue surfaces to enhance the biocompatibility in rats. These results showed that GCGM could avoid to active macrophages and were endowed with anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting the significant potential for clinical success with the development of immunomodulatory biomaterials.