Chitosan as scaffold matrix for tissue engineering

Abstract

Tissue engineering (TE) is an interdisciplinary field involving principles of engineering and biological sciences to fabricate new tissue and organs using cells and scaffolds. It is expected to play an important role in the therapeutic approach in the current and future medicine. In the coming years, there will be an increased emphasis on the usage of biomaterials that can be integrated forming a renewable interface with prosthetic implants for regenerated medicine and cell based TE on a long term basis. In this regard, significant consideration is being given to natural cationic chitosan as a matrix for TE. Chitosan is a linear polysaccharide, produced from crustacean sources. Recent studies suggest that chitosan based matrixes are promising for TE applications. The authors describe here the uniqueness and versatility of chitosan in bone and cartilage TE in terms of structure-property relationship of chitosan scaffolds. © 2008 Institute of Materials.