Design and fabrication of GelMA/chitosan nanoparticles composite hydrogel for angiogenic growth factor delivery

The cellular microenvironment plays a crucial role in improving cell response and function of an engineered tissue. Scaffolds mimicking the native ECM and capable of releasing growth factors are great candidates for tissue engineering applications. Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel, a photocrosslinkable biomaterial possessing tunable properties, has been widely used in tissue engineering. It has been suggested that incorporating micro/nano carriers in GelMA could provide a sustained release of growth factors. Specifically, chitosan nanoparticles can be used for growth factor delivery due to its biocompatibility, easy method of synthesis, and preventing the biomolecule from degradation. In this study, GelMA/chitosan nanoparticles composite hydrogel was developed to deliver an angiogenic growth factor (bFGF). The hydrogel was prepared by photopolymerization and its chemical and physical properties were characterized. Its degradation and swelling characteristics were also evaluated. The size of nanoparticles was evaluated and the profile of bFGF release from the hydrogel and its effect on the viability of fibroblast cells was studied. The results showed that GelMA/chitosan nanoparticles can significantly promote cell proliferation due to its biocompatible structure and providing a sustained profile of bFGF release. This hydrogel scaffold can be used for efficient delivery of bFGF in various applications and especially for angiogenesis.