Enrichment of chitosan hydrogels with perfluorodecalin promotes gelation and stem cell vitality

• Published in: Materials letters 2014-08, Vol.128, p.79-84
• Main Authors: Douglas, Timothy E.L., Pilarek, Maciej, Kalaszczyńska, Ilona, Senderek, Ilona, Skwarczyńska, Agata, Cuijpers, Vincent M.J.I., Modrzejewska, Zofia, Lewandowska-Szumieł, Małgorzata, Dubruel, Peter
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomaterials; Composite materials; Liquid perfluorochemical (fluorocarbon); Sol–gel preparation
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2014.03.173

Thermosensitive injectable hydrogels for bone regeneration consisting of chitosan, sodium beta-glycerophosphate (Na-β-GP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were enriched with oxygenated perfluorodecalin (PFD), a liquid hydrophobic perfluorochemical with high oxygen affinity, in order to improve cell growth on the hydrogels. Furthermore, influence of PFD concentration on hydrogel physicochemical properties relevant for bone regeneration, namely gelation speed, radiopacity and homogenicity, was investigated. Addtionally, ALP-mediated and non-ALP-mediated mineralization were evaluated by incubation in 0.1M calcium glycerophosphate and simulated body fluid. 2% (w/v) chitosan hydrogels containing 2.5mg/ml ALP were enriched with PFD at five concentrations, namely 0 (control), 0.069, 0.138, 0.207 and 0.276ml/ml hydrogel, denoted A, B, C, D and E, respectively. Rheometrical investigations revealed that gelation speed increased with increasing PFD concentration. Micro-CT analysis revealed homogenicity of all sample groups except E and that radiopacity increased in the order B>C>A>D>E. ALP-mediated and non-ALP-mediated mineralization were not affected adversely by PFD. Growth of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSC) encapsulated in hydrogels was markedly higher in sample groups containing PFD, i.e. B–E. Hence, incorporation of oxygenated PFD can improve the suitability of hydrogels as bone regeneration materials. •Chitosan hydrogel formation is accelerated by the addition of perfluorodecalin (PFD).•PFD does not negatively influence hydrogel mineralizability.•PFD promotes mesenchymal stem cell viability and reduced cell death.•Cell growth is most apparent at edge of PFD droplets dispersed in hydrogels.•PFD influences gel homogeneity and radiopacity in a dose-dependent manner.