Potential Applications of Chitosan-Based Hydrogels in Regenerative Medicine

Abstract

Four potential applications of chitosan-based hydrogels are highlighted in this thesis. In the first study, chitosan films with covalently immobilized bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) or fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) stimulated osteoblast and fibroblast functions to a greater extent than corresponding films with adsorbed BMP-2 or FGF-2. In the second study, BMP-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were covalently co-immobilized on chitosan films for simultaneous stimulation of osteoblast and endothelial colony forming cells. Hydroxyapatite (HAP)-coated carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) scaffolds were evaluated as potential bone graft substitutes in the third study, resulting in better promotion of osteoblast functions and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stem cells than non-coated CMCS scaffold. Finally, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)-coated CMCS scaffolds were tested as dentin remineralization patches in a tooth model. The scaffolds significantly induced higher HAP mineralization than non-coated CMCS scaffold.