[Effects of different crosslinking treatments on the properties of decellularized small intestinal submucosa porous scaffolds].

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of three different crosslinkers on the biocompatibility, physical and chemical properties of decellularized small intestinal submucosa (SIS) porous scaffolds.

METHODS

The SIS porous scaffolds were prepared by freeze-drying method and randomly divided into three groups, then crosslinked by glutaraldehyde (GA), 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodi-imide (EDC) and procyanidine (PA) respectively. To evaluate the physicochemical property of each sample in different groups, the following experiments were conducted. Macroscopic morphologies were observed and recorded. Microscopic morphologies of the scaffolds were observed using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and representative images were selected. Computer software (ImageJ) was used to calculate the pore size and porosity. The degree of crosslinking was determined by ninhydrin experiment. Collagenase degradation experiment was performed to assess the resistance of SIS scaffolds to enzyme degradation. To evaluate the mechanical properties, universal mechanical testing machine was used to determine the stress-strain curve and compression strength was calculated. Human bone marrow mesenchymal cells (hBMSCs) were cultured on the scaffolds after which cytotoxicity and cell proliferation were assessed.

RESULTS

All the scaffolds remained intact after different crosslinking treatments. The FESEM images showed uniformed interconnected micro structures of scaffolds in different groups. The pore size of EDC group[(161.90±13.44) μm] was significantly higher than GA group [(149.50±14.65) μm] and PA group[(140.10±12.06) μm] ( < 0.05). The porosity of PA group (79.62%±1.14%) was significantly lower than EDC group (85.11%±1.71%) and GA group (84.83%±1.89%) ( < 0.05). PA group showed the highest degree of crosslinking whereas the lowest swelling ratio. There was a significant difference in the swelling ratio of the three groups ( < 0.05). Regarding to the collagenase degradation experiment, the scaffolds in PA group showed a significantly lower weight loss rate than the other groups after 7 days degradation. The weight loss rates of GA group were significantly higher than those of the other groups on day 15, whereas the PA group had the lowest rate after 10 days and 15 days degradation. PA group showed better mechanical properties than the other two groups. More living cells could be seen in PA and EDC groups after live/dead cell staining. Additionally, the proliferation rate of hBMCSs was faster in PA and EDC groups than in GA group.

CONCLUSION

The scaffolds gained satisfying degree of crosslinking after three different crosslinking treatments. The samples after PA and EDC treatment had better physicochemical properties and biocompatibility compared with GA treatment. Crosslinking can be used as a promising and applicable method in the modification of SIS scaffolds.