Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER ONE
The Use of Chitosan-Based
Scaffolds to Enhance Regeneration
in the Nervous System
Sara Gnavi
*
, Christina Barwig
†
, Thomas Freier
†
,
Kirsten Haastert-Talini
{
, Claudia Grothe
{
, Stefano Geuna
*
,1
*
Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Neuroscience Institute of the Cavalieri Ottolenghi
Foundation (NICO), University of Turin, Ospedale San Luigi, Regione Gonzole 10, Orbassano (TO), Italy
†
Medovent GmbH, Mainz, Germany
{
Hannover Medical School, Institute of Neuroanatomy & Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), Hannover,
Germany
1
Corresponding author: e-mail address: stefano.geuna@unito.it
Contents
1.
Introduction
2
2.
In Vitro Evidence: Chitosan Properties, Biocompatibility, and Surface Modification
5
2.1 Chitosan physical properties
5
2.2 Chitosan biocompatibility
9
2.3 Chitosan surface modification
11
2.4 Chitosan as a tool for neurotrophic factor delivery
13
3. Chitosan for Central Nervous System Repair
14
3.1 Surface modification of chitosan conduits for CNS repair
16
3.2 Chitosan conduits combined with cells for CNS repair
24
3.3 Chitosan conduits combined with neurotrophic factors or neuroprotective
molecules for CNS repair
25
4. Chitosan for Peripheral Nervous System Repair
25
4.1 Surface modification of chitosan conduits for PNS repair
44
4.2 Chitosan conduits combined with cells for PNS repair
45
4.3 Chitosan conduits combined with neurotrophic factors or neuroprotective
molecules for PNS repair
47
5. Conclusion
48
Acknowledgments
50
References
50
Abstract
Various biomaterials have been proposed to build up scaffolds for promoting neural
repair. Among them, chitosan, a derivative of chitin, has been raising more and more
interest among basic and clinical scientists. A number of studies with neuronal and glial
cell cultures have shown that this biomaterial has biomimetic properties, which make it
