The Embryonic Fibroblast Cells Showed Good Growth And Proliferation On Nanocomposite Hydrogel Scaffolds Based On Chitosan/Sodium Alginate/Halloysite Nanotubes

Abstract

Biomaterial wound dressings, including hydrogels, engage with host cells to modulate the process of tissue repair. This study aimed to investigate the cell growth and proliferation on hybrid hydrogel beads as biocompatible scaffolds using chitosan (CS) and sodium alginate (Alg), incorporating varying concentrations of halloysite nanotubes (Hal)(CS/Alg/Hal). The already synthesized CS/Alg/Hal was previously characterized using various analytical techniques, including FTIR, XRD, SEM/EDX, and TEM. MEF cells, the mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line, were cultured on different CS/Alg/Hal for 24 or 48 h. The in vitro blood coagulation tests were used to assay the biocompatibility of CS/Alg/Hal. MTT and DAPI-staining assays were used to evaluate cell viability. The expression of genes involved in cell growth and proliferation, PI3K/Akt/mTOR/c-Myc signaling were calculated using real PCR, while protein levels of genes involved in cell stemness (Oct-4 and Sox-2) were measured by ELISA. Data showed the good hemostatic properties of the CS/Alg/Hal. MTT and DAPI-staining assays showed high cell viability and growth in hydrogels, especially for M3 hydrogel. The expression of genes involved in cell growth and proliferation, PI3K/Akt/mTOR/c-Myc signaling, and Oct-4 and Sox-2 proteins were up-regulated in hydrogels, especially in the M3 group (p<0.05). This cell signaling supports cell hemostasis and proliferation. Therefore, hydrogels showed hopeful application properties in cell growth and wound healing.