PH and Thrombin Concentration Are Decisive in Synthesizing Stiff, Stable, and Open-Porous Fibrin-Collagen Hydrogel Blends without Chemical Cross-Linker.

ABSTRACT: Fibrin-collagen hydrogel blends exhibit high potential for tissue engineering applications. However, it is still unclear whether the underlying cross-linking mechanisms are of chemical or physical nature. It is here hypothesized that chemical cross-linkers play a negligible role and that instead pH and thrombin concentration are decisive for synthetizing blends with high stiffness and hydrolytic stability. Different fibrin-collagen formulations (pure and with additional transglutaminase) are used and the blends' compaction rate, hydrolytic stability, compressive strength, and hydrogel microstructure are investigated. The effect of thrombin concentration on gel compaction is examined and the importance of pH control during synthesis observed. It is revealed that transglutaminase impairs gel

SUBMITTER: Wachendorfer M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11468609 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature