Effect of Cross-Linking Density on the Structures and Properties of Carbodiimide-Treated Gelatin Matrices as Limbal Stem Cell Niches.

ABSTRACT: Given that human amniotic membrane is a valuable biological material not readily available for corneal epithelial tissue engineering, gelatin is considered as a potential alternative to construct a cellular microenvironment. This study investigates, for the first time, the influence of cross-linking density of carbodiimide-treated gelatin matrices on the structures and properties of artificial limbal stem cell niches. Our results showed that an increase in the carbodiimide concentration from 1.5 to 15 mM leads to an upward trend in the structural and suture strength of biopolymers. Furthermore, increasing number of cross-linking bridges capable of linking protein molecules together may reduce their crystallinity. For the samples treated with 50 mM of cross-linker (i.e., the presence of exc

SUBMITTER: Lai JY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6274912 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature