Characterization of scaffolds based on chitosan and collagen with glycosaminoglycans

Scaffolds based on chitosan (CTS), collagen (Coll), and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) cross-linked by N-(3-dimethylamino propyl)-N-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) mixture were obtained with the use of the freeze-drying method. They were characterized by different analyses, e.g. mechanical and swelling tests, porosity, and density measurement. Moreover, the scaffolds behavior in cell culture was examined with human osteosarcoma SaOS-2 cells. The results showed that the scaffolds based on CTS, Coll, and GAGs cross-linked by EDC/NHS present physicochemical properties appropriate for biomedical purposes. They show porosity above 90% and are highly swellable. The increasing GAGs content improves the attachment and survival of cells on the obtained scaffolds. It can be assumed that scaffolds based on CTS and Coll, GAGs-enriched and cross-linked by EDC/NHS addition are biocompatible, and have properties appropriate for the tissue engineering purposes.