Genipin-cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) for neural scaffold

In the field of tissue engineering, special interest is paid to employing non-toxic, biocompatible materials and methods. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) has excellent properties for tissue engineering but is unstable in an aqueous environment. Generally, genipin is used as a low-toxicity natural cross-linker for proteins, but in this study, to increase PVA stability, a novel cross-linking modification method through the use of naturally occurring components (genipin and glycine) was performed. In tissue engineering, the fabrication of scaffolds is influenced mainly by the chemical, biological, mechanical and kinetic properties of the ingredients. In addition, the scaffold is affected by altering the polymer composition and processing parameters. Herein, the novel modified PVA was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis, swelling experiments and degradation tests. The modified PVA provided an effective cell support for 21 d of immersion in a phosphate-buffered saline environment, and the in vitro cell culture of PC12 nerve cells on the modified PVA scaffold showed neural adhesion and growth.