Protein-mediated gelation and nano-scale assembly of unfunctionalized hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate.

ABSTRACT: Background: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a major component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the central nervous system and the only purely supramolecular glycosaminoglycan. Much focus has been given to using this high molecular weight polysaccharide for tissue engineering applications. In most studies, the backbone of HA is functionalized with moieties that can facilitate network formation through physical self-assembly, or covalent crosslinking (e.g. photo-catalyzed) at concentrations where the polysaccharide does not gel on its own. However, these crosslinks often utilize functional groups not found in biological tissues. Methods: Oscillatory rheology, dynamic light scattering, and scanning electron microscopy were used to study albumin/HA structures. Dynamic light scatterin

SUBMITTER: Tabet A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6688722 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature