Description
The positive interaction of materials with tissues is an important step in regenerative medicine strategies. Hydrogels
that are obtained from polysaccharides and proteins are expected to mimic the natural cartilage environment and
thus provide an optimum milleu for tissue growth and regeneration. In this work, novel hydrogels composed of
blends of chitosan and Bombyx mori silk fibroin were cross-linked with genipin (G) and were freeze dried to
obtain chitosan/silk (CSG) sponges. CSG sponges possess stable and ordered structures because of protein
conformational changes from R-helix/random-coil to -sheet structure, distinct surface morphologies, and pH/
swelling dependence at pH 3, 7.4, and 9. We investigated the cytotoxicity of CSG sponge extracts by using L929
fibroblast-like cells. Furthermore, we cultured ATDC5 cells onto the sponges to evaluate the CSG sponges’ potential
in cartilage repair strategies. These novel sponges promoted adhesion, proliferation, and matrix production of
chondrocyte-like cells. Sponges’ intrinsic properties and biological results suggest that CSG sponges may be
potential candidates for cartilage tissue engineering (TE) strategies.
; Motta, A. 
