Characterization of Thermosensitive and Biocompatible Property of Chitosan/Glycerophosphate Hydrogel

Chitosan/glycerophosphate (CS/GP) hydrogels represent novel strategy for cartilage repair through combing with cartilage-forming chondrocytes. The aim of this work is to examine the change of gelation time and temperature of CS/GP hydrogels with different ratio, and to characterize their degradation property and effect on chondrocytes which could be used as seed cells for cartilage regeneration. The results showed that the gelation temperature increased by decreasing glycerophosphate content or increasing chitosan content. The gelation time was elongated with the GP content decreased. Through co-culture system, CS/GP hydrogels were found to have no negative effect on chondrocytes proliferation and viability. The secretion of IL-6 and TNF-alpha by chondrocytes remained unchanged under the co-culture with CS/GP hydrogels for up to 96 h. The expression of collagen II, which play a functional role in the regulation of chondrogenic differentiation, was steady during co-culture. In conclusion, the gelation temperature and time depend on the CS/GP ratio in the hydrogels, and CS/GP hydrogels represented biocompatible carriers for cartilage regeneration.