Effect of keratin/PLGA hybrid scaffold for chondrogenesis: In vitro test

Synthetic and naturally derived biodegradable polymers have been widely used to construct scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering. We developed the keratin loaded poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA) scaffolds(kera-tin/PLGA) to utilize as highly functional scaffolds for tissue engineering by improving hydrophobicity and cell compatibility of the polymer scaffolds. Keratin as natural protein is the major structural fibrous protein providing outer covering such as wool, hair, and nail. Keratin/PLGA scaffolds were prepared by casting/salt leaching method. Cell proliferation activity was measured via MTT assay. Scaffold mechanical strength, histology, gene expression, sul-phated-glycosaminoglycan(sGAG) and collagen contents analyses were performed to elucidate in vitro cartilage development and the deposition of cartilage-specific extracellular matrices. We concluded in vitro chondrogenesis of articular chondrocytes was improved in PLGA scaffolds containing keratin.