Papers by Author: Hyun Chul Lee

Abstract: The ideal dermal matrix should be able to provide the right physical and biological environment to ensure homogenous cell and extracellular matrix (ECM) distribution, as well as the biocompatible interactions with tissue. Chitosan (CS)/poloxamer semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (SIPNs) was prepared by crosslinking of poloxamer macromer in the presence of CS in order to improve its mechanical property required in skin tissue engineering application. Furthermore, we also prepared CS/poloxamer SIPNs with ShebaTM, human acellular dermis, to overcome a low biocompatibility of the CS/poloxamer SIPNs. The CS/poloxamer SIPNs/ShebaTM showed remarkably highly cell attachment and viability in the two-dimensional (2D) culture and similar cell morphology on the CS/poloxamer SIPNs/ShebaTM compared with on tissue culturing polystylene (TCPS) as a positive control. These results suggest that CS/poloxamer SIPNs containing ShebaTM have good possibility for artificial skin system application.

Abstract: In this study, novel polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite (PCL/HA) scaffolds were prepared to increase mechanical properties and degradation of PCL/HA ones for bone tissue engineering. PCL macromers were synthesized through the reaction of PCL diol (Mn: 530, 1250, and 2000) and PCL triol (Mn: 900) with acryloyl chloride and confirmed using nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer (NMR) and fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The PCL/HA scaffolds were prepared by cross-linking of PCL macromer in the presence of HA by UV treatment and freeze drying methods. Mechanical property and porosity as well as degradability of the PCL/HA scaffolds were also investigated. PCL/HA scaffolds showed faster degradation and higher compressive modulus than those of PCL itself due to their low crystallinity and modification of terminal groups. The pore morphology and pore sizes of the PCL/HA scaffold were checked by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Cell cytotoxicity and proliferation of MG-63 osteoblast cultured onto the PCL/HA scaffold was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay and Alamar blue assay, respectively. The novel PCL/HA scaffold appears to be suitable for bone substitutes.