New publications describe the use of chitinous scaffolds for tissue engineering

International researchers from different disciplines surrounding Prof. Dr. Hermann Ehrlich describe the suitability of chitin matrices in two research articles. Both articles are published in the notable “International Journal of Biological Macromolecules“ with an impact factor of 3.7. BromMarin complemented the researcher team.

The first article: “3D chitinous scaffolds derived from cultivated marine demosponge Aplysina aerophoba for tissue engineering approaches based on human mesenchymal stromal cells“ highlights the properties of sponge scaffolds for applications in tissue engineering. The three-dimensional, microporous chitin from sponges as a renewable source is the major focus. The results indicate increased cell growth of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) within the chitin scaffolds. MSC of humans are found in bone marrow, fatty tissue, or cord blood.

The second article: “Novel chitin scaffolds derived from marine sponge Ianthella basta for tissue engineering approaches based on human mesenchymal stromal cells: Biocompatibility and cryopreservation” goes even further. Stromal cells in chitin scaffolds are cryopreserved – which means frozen in liquid nitrogen. Thereby, 70% of the cells remain active.

Overall, both articles highlight the massive potential of different sponge chitin scaffolds for use in tissue engineering. The matrices are non-toxic, biocompatible, and encourage cell growth due to their high surface.