Use of collagen and auricular cartilage in bioengineering: scaffolds for tissue regeneration

• Published in: Cell and tissue banking Vol. 25; no. 1; pp. 111 - 122
• Main Authors: Massimino, Lívia Contini, da Conceição Amaro Martins, Virginia, Vulcani, Valcinir Aloisio Scalla, de Oliveira, Éverton Lucas, Andreeta, Mariane Barsi, Bonagamba, Tito José, Klingbeil, Maria Fátima Guarizo, Mathor, Monica Beatriz, de Guzzi Plepis, Ana Maria
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-03-2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animals; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Bioengineering; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Cartilage; Cattle; Cell adhesion; Cell Biology; Cell growth; Cell Proliferation; Collagen; Collagen (type I); Collagen - chemistry; Computed tomography; Cytology; Cytotoxicity; Denaturation; Differential scanning calorimetry; Ear Cartilage; Life Sciences; Micrography; Perichondrium; Porosity; Scanning electron microscopy; Tissue Engineering - methods; Tissue Scaffolds - chemistry; Transplant Surgery; X-Ray Microtomography; Cell proliferation; Micro-CT; Biopolymers; Elastin
• ISSN: 1389-9333; 1573-6814
• DOI: 10.1007/s10561-020-09861-0

The aim of this study was the development of collagen and collagen/auricular cartilage scaffolds for application in dermal regeneration. Collagen was obtained from bovine tendon by a 72 h-long treatment, while bovine auricular cartilage was treated for 24 h and divided into two parts, external (perichondrium, E) and internal (elastic cartilage, I). The scaffolds were prepared by mixing collagen (C) with the internal part (CI) or the external part (CE) in a 3:1 ratio. Differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, microcomputed tomography imaging (micro-CT) and swelling degree were used to characterize the scaffolds. Cytotoxicity, cell adhesion, and cell proliferation assays were performed using the cell line NIH/3T3. All samples presented a similar denaturation temperature (Td) around 48 °C, while CE presented a second Td at 51.2 °C. SEM micrographs showed superficial pores in all scaffolds and micro-CT exhibited interconnected pore spaces with porosity above 60% (sizes between 47 and 149 µm). The order of swelling was CE < CI < C and the scaffolds did not present cytotoxicity, showing attachment rates above 75%—all samples showed a similar pattern of proliferation until 168 h, whereas CI tended to decrease after this time. The scaffolds were easily obtained, biocompatible and had adequate morphology for cell growth. All samples showed high adhesion, whereas collagen-only and collagen/external part scaffolds presented a better cell proliferation rate and would be indicated for possible use in dermal regeneration.