Compatibility of Chitosan-Gelatin Films with Adipose Tissue Derived Stromal Cells*

Abstract Chitosan has been shown to be a promising material for various applications in tissue engineering. Recently, adipose tissue derived stromal cells (ADSCs) have been investigated as an alternative source of seed cells for tissue engineering. The compatibility of chitosan and chitosan-gelatin complexes with ADSCs is not known. In the present study, ADSCs were isolated and characterized by phenotype using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). The morphology, viability, and the ability of the ADSCs to differentiate on chitosan and chitosan-gelatin composite films with 60 wt.% gelatin were evaluated. Results show that the ADSCs are positive for CD29, CD44, and CD105, but negative for CD31, CD34, and CD45. ADSCs adhere and grow better on the composite films than on the chitosan films. The ability of ADSCs to differentiate into osteogenic and adipogenic lineage cells is not affected by their being cultured on chitosan-gelatin composite films. Therefore, chitosan-gelatin composite films are compatible with ADSCs and do not impair the ability of ADSCs to differentiate into osteogenic and adipogenic lineage cells.