Preparation of chitosan-graft N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide copolymers as an in vitro-engineered skin

Amino-polysaccharides derivatives such as grafted chitosan (CS) have attracted increasing interest in biotechnology. The work aims to assess the novel CS-g-PHEAA as a model for in vitro-engineered skin. Gamma radiation-induced copolymerization has achieved N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide (HEAA) grafting onto CS. The functionalization of CS by the amino group has been confirmed through solid-state carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance. As evidenced by cell metabolic activity, viability, and proliferation results of human dermal fibroblast (HDF) co-cultivated with the biomaterials, the biological assays are independent of the choice of solvent. Also, the grafting degree, the HDF growth, and monolayer migration favored using CS-g-PHEAA prepared in bulk. Hence, it has potential as a future bioengineered skin substitute material.