Tri-layered chitosan scaffold as a potential skin substitute

Abstract

A tri-layered chitosan-based scaffold was successfully made to replicate the striation of a full-thickness skin more accurately than a single- or bi-layered scaffold, which needed weeks of co-culturing of fibroblasts and keratinocytes to achieve similar striation. Chitosan solution was freeze-dried and made into porous disks. Chitosan or chitosan–pectin in acetic acid solution was electrospun onto the chitosan disk to form a nanofibrous layer and a thin film. Examinations based on scanning electron spectroscopy showed that the scaffold was composed of a porous layer (2 mm) to simulate the dermis, a thin film (25–45 μm) to mimic the basement membrane, and a layer of nanofibers (100–200 μm) to serve as the protective epidermis. The tensile strength and modulus of the composite scaffold were significantly higher than those of the chitosan disk (p < 0.01). The composite was able to quickly absorb water and stayed intact throughout the course of the 14-day cell culture tests. The fibroblast cells seeded on both sides of the scaffolds were able to proliferate and stayed separated by the thin film.

Keywords:

• skin substitute
• tri-layered scaffold
• full-thickness
• chitosan
• electrospinning

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Science Council Taiwan [grant number NSC 102-2221-E-027-068]; National Science Council Taiwan [grant number NSC 101-2221-E-027-140]; NTUT-MMH Joint Research Program [grant number NTUT-MMH-103-04].