Characterization of Biocompatible Scaffolds Based on Gelatin and Hyaluronic Acid for Fibroblasts Culture

Gelatin/hyaluronic acid (Gel/HA) scaffolds were prepared by using the freeze-drying method after crosslinking with 1-ethyl-(3-3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC). The porous structure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the wettability of Gel/HA film was also studied by measuring their contact angle. The biological behaviour of the scaffolds was analyzed by studying the cell behaviour using a fibroblast cell line and standard biological MTT test. The results showed that the scaffold had an inter-connected pore structure with a sufficient pore size for use as a support for the growth of fibroblasts. The contact angle decreased with increasing HA content, whereas the cell attachment and proliferation improved with decreasing HA content. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) demonstrated a normal cell distribution and proliferation on the porous Gel/HA scaffolds.