Physicochemical characterization and biological response of PDMS/CS/PVA/GEN semi-interpenetrating networks as a function of CS/PVA/GEN ratio for tissue engineering

Abstract

Abstract We demonstrated that the combination of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) and a hybrid hydrogel based on chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol)/genipin (CS/PVA/GEN)—with ratios 7:3 (SIPNs1), 5:5 (SIPNs2), and 3:7 (SIPNs3) (w/w)—were useful for obtaining semi-interpenetrated polymeric networks (SIPNs). These SIPNs successfully combined the PDMS’s elasticity, the PVA’s swelling capability, and the excellent biological response of CS and GEN. Noticing these features are desirable in materials intended for biomedical applications such as wound healing and tissue engineering. Through evaluating the influence of PDMS and CS/PVA/GEN hybrid hydrogel ratios on the physico-chemical, mechanical, and the response of seeded cells, we found contact angles between 55$$^{\circ }$$ ∘ and 75$$^{\circ }$$ ∘ , while the swelling percentage was enhanced up to three times concerning blank PDMS. Besides, the elastic moduli presented values between 1 and 1.6 MPa. The fibroblasts seeded on the tested semi-interpenetrating polymeric networks were viable, and no cytotoxic effects were found. The cells presented fusiform shapes indicating an excellent attachment to the material’s surface. The highest cell densities were found for SIPNs1 and SIPNs2, suggesting that these compositions in a membrane shape could potentially be used in wound healing/dressing or as a scaffold for tissue engineering. Graphical abstract