Biomimetic scaffolds based on chitosan in bone regeneration. A review

Abstract

Chitosan (CS) is a polysaccharide readily used in tissue engineering due to its properties: similarity to the glycosaminoglycans present in the body, biocompatibility, non-toxicity, antibacterial character and owing to the fact that its degradation that may occur under the influence of human enzymes generates non-toxic products. Applications in tissue engineering include using CS to produce artificial scaffolds for bone regeneration that provide an attachment site for cells during regeneration processes. Chitosan can be used to prepare scaffolds exclusively from this polysaccharide, composites or polyelectrolyte complexes. A popular solution for improving the surface properties and, as a result enhancing cell-biomaterial interactions, is to coat the scaffold with layers of chitosan. The article focuses on a polysaccharide of natural origin - chitosan (CS) and its application in scaffolds in tissue engineering. The last part of the review focuses on bone tissue and interactions between cells and chitosan after implantation of a scaffold and how chitosan's structure affects bone cell adhesion and life processes.