Hybrid chitosan–ß‐glycerol phosphate–gelatin nano‐/micro fibrous scaffolds with suitable mechanical and biological properties for tissue engineering

Scaffold‐based tissue engineering is considered as a promising approach in the regenerative medicine. Graft instability of collagen, by causing poor mechanical properties and rapid degradation, and their hard handling remains major challenges to be addressed. In this research, a composite structured nano‐/microfibrous scaffold, made from a mixture of chitosan–ß‐glycerol phosphate–gelatin (chitosan–GP–gelatin) using a standard electrospinning set‐up was developed. Gelatin–acid acetic and chitosan ß‐glycerol phosphate–HCL solutions were prepared at ratios of 30/70, 50/50, 70/30 (w/w) and their mechanical and biological properties were engineered. Furthermore, the pore structure of the fabricated nanofibrous scaffolds was investigated and predicted using a theoretical model. Higher gelatin concentrations in the polymer blend resulted in significant increase in mean pore size and its distribution. Interaction between the scaffold and the contained cells was also monitored and compared in the test and control groups. Scaffolds with higher chitosan concentrations showed higher rate of cell attachment with better proliferation property, compared with gelatin‐only scaffolds. The fabricated scaffolds, unlike many other natural polymers, also exhibit non‐toxic and biodegradable properties in the grafted tissues. In conclusion, the data clearly showed that the fabricated biomaterial is a biologically compatible scaffold with potential to serve as a proper platform for retaining the cultured cells for further application in cell‐based tissue engineering, especially in wound healing practices. These results suggested the potential of using mesoporous composite chitosan–GP–gelatin fibrous scaffolds for engineering three‐dimensional tissues with different inherent cell characteristics. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 105: 163–175, 2016.