Journal of Bioengineering & Biomedical Science

Structural Effect of Different EDC Crosslinker Concentration in Gelatin- Hyaluronic Acid Scaffolds

Abstract

Katia Jarquín-Yáñez, Jesús Arenas-Alatorre, Gabriela Piñón-Zárate, Rosa María Arellano-Olivares, Miguel Herrera-Enríquez, Beatriz Hernández-Téllez, Andrés E Castell-Rodríguez

Introduction: Gelatin and hyaluronic acid are two biopolymers with different applications in tissue engineering. They may be employed to construct diverse scaffolds that allow cells to differentiate and proliferate on them. In order to obtain the best functional and mechanical conditions in scaffolds, they must be crosslinked to form covalent links between gelatin and hyaluronic acid. The crosslinker 1-ethy-3-(3-dymethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) is a compound widely used due to its low cytotoxicity. Besides, the concentration of the crosslinker may modify the physical properties and morphological characteristics of scaffolds when it forms covalent links between biopolymers, helping to construct different kinds of scaffolds used for developing soft tissues. However, the development of scaffolds made of gelatin and hyaluronic acid crosslinked with EDC has been poorly studied. In addition, the concentrations used for crosslinking gelatin and hyaluronic acid are contradictory. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the structure of gelatin/hyaluronic acid scaffolds crosslinked with EDC.

Methods: Gelatin-hyaluronic acid scaffolds were prepared by direct freeze-drying. Afterwards, They were crosslinked with different concentrations of EDC (6, 30, 50 and 60 mM) for 12 h.

Results: This research has demonstrated that the gelatin/hyaluronic acid scaffolds crosslinked with the highest concentrations of the crosslinker had fewer water concentration absorbed, pore size diminished and pore number increased in comparison with control groups. Despite scaffolds composition has not changed in any of the concentrations, the bone marrow mesenchymal cells mortality percentage increased when cells were placed on the scaffolds of concentration 60 mM, perhaps for the residual 1-ethy-3-(3-dymethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride found in the scaffolds.

Conclusion: Our results revealed that different EDC concentrations may modify the physical and biological characteristics of gelatin/hyaluronic acid scaffolds; as a result, the scaffolds obtained may be used for the manufacture of different tissues in regenerative medicine.