A self-crosslinking tri-component hydrogel based on functionalized polysaccharides and gelatin for tissue engineering applications

In the present study, a self-crosslinking in situ forming hydrogel of oxidized polysaccharides and gelatin was synthesized. The concentration of oxidized constituents (i.e., oxidized alginate and hyaluronic acid) and gelatin in composite was varied and physical, mechanical and functional performances of the hydrogel were screened. As the total concentrations of gel components increased, the swelling degree decreased, while compressive modulus increased, and blend miscibility was also compromised. The hydrogel with equal concentration of oxidized polysaccharides and gelatin displayed the highest degree of crosslinking and the lowest value of mean pore diameter. Regardless of the composition, the hydrogels were well able to preserve cell viability and proliferation as confirmed by in vitro cytotoxicity assay toward mesenchymal stem cells. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.