A biodegradable in situ injectable hydrogel based on chitosan and oxidized hyaluronic acid for tissue engineering applications

An "in situ" biodegradable gel consisting of chitosan, glycerol phosphate (GP) and oxidized hyaluronic acid (HDA) were synthesised and characterized This is a two component hydrogel system where chitosan neutralized with GP resulted in instantaneous gelling when combined with HDA. The gels are cytocompatible and could be freeze dried to form porous scaffolds. The percentage porosity of the freeze-dried chitosan hyaluronic acid dialdehyde gels (CHDA) increased with increasing oxidation. Fibroblast cells seeded onto CHDA porous scaffolds adhered, proliferated and produced ECM components on the scaffold. Chondrocytes encapsulated in CHDA gels retained their viability and specific phenotypic characteristics. The gel material is hence proposed as a scaffold and encapsulating material for tissue engineering applications. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.