人胚胎成纤维细胞对人胚胎生殖细胞生长的作用

目的：研究人胚胎成纤维细胞对人胚胎生殖细胞（EG细胞）生长的作用。方法：采用组织块体外培养法体外培养人EG细胞,不添加任何细胞因子,利用源于胚胎组织自身的成纤维细胞作为饲养层,收集培养3d和9d的上清液,用抗体夹心ABC-ELISA法定量检测其白血病抑制因子（LIF）、干细胞生长因子（SCF）和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子（bFGF）的含量。培养的细胞用免疫细胞化学法进行SSEA-3、OCT-4的检测。结果：培养9d的上清液中3种因子均含量为LIF55．25pg／ml、SCF90．39pg／ml、bFGF26．06pg／ml．均高于培养3d相应的平均含量。培养的细胞SSEA-3、OC-4呈强阳性表达。结论：上清液中LIF、SCF和bFGF的含量与胚胎成纤维细胞的生长呈正比,胚胎成纤维细胞能分泌这些细胞因子,以维持EG细胞体外增殖并抑制其分化。     

新型海藻酸钠组织工程支架材料与人成纤维细胞的相容性

目的 利用N-乙基.N'-[(3-二甲氨基)丙基]碳二亚胺盐酸盐(EDC)作为催化剂-乙二胺作为交联剂制备新型海藻酸钠组织工程支架材料(简称材料)并测试其细胞相容性.方法 以体外培养的人成纤维细胞作为对象.采用四甲基偶氮唑盐(MTT)法检测材料浸渍液对细胞增殖情况的影响,光镜下观察材料浸渍液中细胞的生长状况.将人成纤维细胞悬液接种于材料表面,制备人成纤维细胞-材料复合物,扫描电镜下观察培养7 d的复合物表面细胞的黏附和生长状态,评价材料的细胞相容性.结果 材料浸渍液作用1、2,4、7 d后人成纤维细胞的相对增殖率(RGR)分别为98.00%、104.10%、110.80%、93.17%,毒性均为0级或1级.倒置显微镜观察人成纤维细胞在材料浸渍液中生长形态良好.扫描电镜下培养7 d的人成纤维细胞-材料复合物表面人成纤维细胞能很好的与材料黏附,材料表面细胞均生长旺盛形成许多伪足状突起,并分泌产生细胞基质.结论 新型海藻酸钠组织工程支架材料与人成纤维细胞的相容性良好,为其作为细胞生长支持物和进一步的医学应用提供了实验依据.     

不同接种方式对组织工程牙龈种子细胞黏附效果的影响

背景：如何在体外将支架材料和种子细胞高效地复合以构建组织工程牙周组织是目前牙周病治疗及牙周缺损修复研究的重要方向。 目的：比较传统沉淀接种法和胶原包裹接种法的细胞黏附状况,优化细胞接种方式。 方法：将一定浓度的犬牙龈成纤维细胞,分别采用传统沉淀接种法和胶原包裹接种法接种到聚乳酸-壳聚糖-明胶梯度孔径和均匀孔径支架上,通过细胞计数测定支架上贴附的细胞数量,计算其接种率,并进行对比分析。 结果与结论：采用胶原凝胶包裹接种法将细胞接种至均匀孔径支架和梯度孔径支架上,其接种率均明显高于传统的沉淀接种法(P < 0.01)。用胶原凝胶包裹种子细胞行细胞接种可以有效提高种子细胞的接种率,增加支架上的细胞初始浓度,可以选用胶原凝胶包裹细胞接种方式用于牙龈工程组织构建。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：生物材料;骨生物材料; 口腔生物材料; 纳米材料; 缓释材料; 材料相容性;组织工程全文链接：     

筋膜成纤维细胞与纤维蛋白凝胶的体外生物相容性

背景：纤维蛋白凝胶是一种天然可降解的生物支架材料,具备可用于组织工程支架的共性,被越来越多地用做种子细胞载体应用于组织工程修复。 目的：观察兔筋膜成纤维细胞与纤维蛋白凝胶的体外生物相容性。 方法：采用组织块贴壁法培养新西兰大白兔皮下固有筋膜组织成纤维细胞,以胰酶消化法对其进行传代。将第4代成纤维细胞悬液与纤维蛋白凝胶共培养,以倒置相差显微镜动态观察纤维蛋白凝胶表面成纤维细胞的形态及增殖情况;共培养5 d时,以免疫荧光染色激光共聚焦显微镜鉴定成纤维细胞,扫描电镜观察成纤维细胞的生长贴附情况。 结果与结论：倒置相差显微镜下显示,纤维蛋白凝胶表面的成纤维细胞形态与单纯培养成纤维细胞无明显差别;扫描电镜显示,成纤维细胞在纤维蛋白凝胶表面伸展充分,伸出的“伪足”与纤维蛋白凝胶有很好的贴附并分泌基质样物质,可见纤维蛋白凝胶并未改变成纤维细胞的形态学特征;激光共聚焦显微镜显示,成纤维细胞波形蛋白呈阳性表达,证明成纤维细胞种植在纤维蛋白凝胶表面后性质未发生变化,未被诱导分化。表明筋膜成纤维细胞与纤维蛋白凝胶在体外有很好的生物相容性。  中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：生物材料;骨生物材料; 口腔生物材料; 纳米材料; 缓释材料; 材料相容性;组织工程      

人牙龈成纤维细胞在可降解膜支架上的附着生长及穿透性研究

目的 对体外培养的人牙龈成纤维细胞在两种可降解膜支架上的附着性与穿透性进行评价。为进一步构建组织工程化人工牙龈以修复牙龈缺损及纠正牙龈萎缩提供必要的实验依据；方法 可吸收性支架采用GC膜和Gorg密度播种在两种支架膜上进行培养；定期分别用LDH试剂盒测定附着在支架上的细胞数，在光学显微镜下计数膜下透过的细胞数并求出细胞透过率；结果 人牙龈成纤维细胞在GC膜支架上比在Gore-resolut支架上具有较高的附着率和穿透率（有统计学显意义）；结论 GC膜状支架具有良好的生物相容性和细胞亲和性。其结构。孔径和降解速率有助于人龈成纤维细胞的三维附着生长，适宜进一步作为体内构建组织工程化人工牙龈的支架材料。     

bFGF对人关节软骨细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的：观察碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(bFGF)对体外单层培养的人负重关节软骨细胞的增殖和凋亡的影响。方法：对8例来自人负重关节软骨细胞系进行体外单层传代培养，从第2代起试验组培养液中加入bFGF，观察细胞的倍增时间(DT)、流式细胞分析细胞增殖周期和凋亡指数，并与无bFGF组相比较。结果：与未加bFGF相比较，加用10μg／ml bFGF后，DT缩短，S期细胞数升高，细胞凋亡无变化。结论：bFGF能促进培养的人关节软骨细胞生长，不引起细胞凋亡。     

新型壳聚糖-胶原支架与牙周膜细胞的生物相容性

背景：目前胶原作为牙周组织工程支架材料仍具有机械强度差、降解速度快等缺点,将其与壳聚糖复合可改善上述问题。 目的：评估新型壳聚糖-胶原支架材料的体外生物相容性。 方法：通过MTT法评估100%,75%,50%,25%壳聚糖-胶原支架材料浸提液对人牙周膜细胞的毒性。选择第4-6代生长状态良好的人牙周膜细胞与壳聚糖-胶原支架共培养,观察细胞在支架上的生长情况,并检测与壳聚糖-胶原支架复合培养前后人牙周膜细胞碱性磷酸酶活性的变化。 结果与结论：新型壳聚糖-胶原支架具有双层结构,一侧表面致密,一侧表面疏松多孔。MTT法检测不同浓度材料浸提液毒性评级为0或1级。扫描电子显微镜及组织学观察可见细胞在壳聚糖-胶原支架上增殖良好,且致密层可起屏障膜作用,阻挡细胞进入支架内部;复合培养24 h后,人牙周膜细胞的碱性磷酸酶活性与复合培养前无明显差异(P > 0.05),复合培养48,72 h后人牙周膜细胞的碱性磷酸酶活性高于复合培养前(P < 0.05)。以上结果提示新型壳聚糖-胶原支架具有良好的生物相容性及屏障功能,可进一步应用于牙周组织工程的研究。     

不同分子量羧甲基壳聚糖的制备及其对皮肤成纤维细胞和角质形成细胞生长的影响

本实验将高分子量壳聚糖通过酸水解法和氧化法降解成不同分子量,然后将其羧甲基化制备成相应不同分子量的羧甲基壳聚糖。分别以bFGF和EGF为对照,通过显微观察法和MTT细胞计数法研究不同分子量的羧甲基壳聚糖对小鼠皮肤成纤维细胞和人皮肤表皮角质形成细胞形态及细胞生长的影响。实验结果表明:不同分子量的羧甲基壳聚糖在浓度为1～1 000 ppm时对成纤维细胞和表皮角质形成细胞生长均有促进作用,在浓度为100 ppm时促进作用最强;其促进作用随着分子量的减小而增强,分子量为3 KD左右的羧甲基壳聚糖对成纤维细胞和表皮角质形成细胞生长促进作用最为显著,分别与bFGF和EGF促生长作用基本相当。     

纳米仿生复合支架的生物相容性

背景：纳米材料构建具有生物活性的组织工程骨,可以很好的模仿体内细胞外基质的结构,有利于细胞黏附、生长。 目的：评价新型仿生壳聚糖/胶原纳米纤维支架与SD大鼠骨髓基质干细胞的体外相容性。 方法：分离培养SD大鼠骨髓基质干细胞,流式细胞分析法对细胞表面抗原进行检测;相差显微镜观察细胞形态。聚电解质共凝聚技术制作仿生壳聚糖/胶原纳米纤维支架,取生长良好的P3代,与仿生壳聚糖/胶原纳米纤维支架体外联合诱导培养,通过细胞贴壁率、生长曲线、细胞活力、周期、细胞Ⅰ型胶原染色、扫描电镜观察综合评价材料与细胞的相容性。 结果与结论：骨髓基质干细胞可在体外分离扩增,表达CD29、CD44和CD106,不表达CD34和CD45,细胞形态为长梭形,仿生壳聚糖/胶原纳米纤维平均孔径为150 μm,与骨髓基质干细胞有较好的黏附性。提示骨髓基质干细胞可在体外长期、稳定培养;是理想的组织工程种子细胞;仿生壳聚糖/胶原纳米纤维与骨髓基质干细胞有良好的相容性,可用来做组织工程生物材料。     

rhBMP-2和bFGF复合至壳聚糖-Ⅰ型胶原支架后在体外的降解和释放

目的： 探讨rhBMP-2和bFGF复合至壳聚糖-Ⅰ型胶原支架材料后在体外的释放规律。方法: 制备壳聚糖-Ⅰ型胶原支架及含rhBMP-2和bFGF的复合膜。扫描电镜观察测量支架孔径；体外观察降解情况,在不同时点收集浸出液，ELISA检测因子的释放浓度；观察浸出液对牙周膜细胞的影响。结果： 复合膜呈疏松多孔海绵状，高、中、低3种壳聚糖-Ⅰ型胶原支架平均孔径分别为（106±17）μm、（141±13）μm和（173±11）μm ；复合膜在含溶菌酶的PBS中可以降解，壳聚糖浓度越高支架降解越慢，rhBMP-2和bFGF的释放开始为“爆发性”，此后释放逐渐减慢，最后在低浓度可缓慢而持久地释放，壳聚糖浓度越高的复合支架，因子释放越慢越持久。与含溶菌酶的PBS间接接触的因子层随着其表面支架的降解而逐渐释放因子，释放延迟时间和表面支架的降解速度有关。复合bFGF因子支架的浸出液作用于HPDLCs，可以明显促进细胞的增殖。结论： 壳聚糖-Ⅰ型胶原复合因子支架体外可以降解并释放因子，降解和因子释放速度与壳聚糖的浓度密切相关；可以通过分层制作复合因子支架来控制因子有序释放，所释放的因子具有正常生物学功能。     

Biological Feature of Collagen-Chitosan Membrane with Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor for the Culture of Human Fibroblast

INTRODUCTION　　Collagen present in the extracellular matrix is the most promising natural poly-mer for tissue engineering.It has many expected biological features,includinggrowth promotion,biological stability,low antigenicity and cytotoxic properties.Collagen is frequently used material for cell culture carriers in various fields.Al-though collagen possess excellent biocompatibility,the chemical treatment makesthe reconstituted collagen very low tensile strength and easily biodegraded b…     

Effects of basic fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta on maturation of human pediatric aortic cell culture for tissue engineering of cardiovascular structures

Optimal in vitro conditions are necessary for the development of a strong, well structured, and functional tissue engineered cardiovascular structure eventually designed for implantation. To further optimize in vitro conditions for cell proliferation and extracellular matrix formation in tissue engineering of cardiovascular structures, in this study, ascorbic acid and growth factors as additives to standard cell culture medium were evaluated for their effect on tissue development in vitro. Biodegradable polymer patches [polyglycolic acid (PGA) coated with poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB)] were seeded with human pediatric aortic cells and cultured for 7 and 28 days. Group A was cultured with standard medium (DMEM with 10% fetal calf serum and 1% antibiotics) supplemented with ascorbic acid; group B was cultured with standard medium plus ascorbic acid and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF); group C was cultured with standard medium adding ascorbic acid and transforming growth factor (TGF). Analysis of the cell seeded polymer constructs included DNA assay, collagen assay, and histologic and immunohistochemical examination for cell proliferation and collagen formation. After 7 and 28 days of culture, group B and group C showed a significantly higher DNA content compared with group A. The addition of bFGF (group B) led to a markedly higher collagen synthesis after 28 days of culture compared with the additives in groups C and A. The histologic and immunohistochemical examination also revealed a more dense, organized tissue development with pronounced matrix protein formation in the tissue engineered structures in group B after 28 days of culture. When seeded on to the polymeric scaffold, human vascular cells proliferate and form organized cell tissue after 28 days of culture. The addition of bFGF and ascorbic acid to the standard medium enhances cell proliferation and collagen synthesis on the biodegradable polymer, which leads to the formation of more mature, well organized tissue engineered structures.     

Collagen three-dimensional hydrogel matrix carrying basic fibroblast growth factor for the cultivation of mesenchymal stem cells and osteogenic differentiation

Three-dimensional (3D) collagen hydrogels have been extensively used for cell culture experiments and are more closely representative of in vivo conditions than monolayer (2D) culture. Here we cultured rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in collagen hydrogels containing varying concentrations of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) to examine the effect of bFGF on MSC proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in 3D culture. The optimal bFGF concentration that promoted the greatest degree of cell proliferation and expression of the early osteogenic induction marker alkaline phosphatase was also determined. Subsequent quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of gene expression demonstrated that bFGF promoted significant upregulation of the bone-related genes: collagen type I, osteopontin (OPN), bone sialoprotein (BSP), and osteocalcin (OCN) for periods of up to 21 days. Immunofluorescence staining and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis further supported the enhanced osteogenic differentiation of cells as a greater proportion of cells were found to express OPN. Matrix mineralization within the collagen hydrogels was enhanced in the presence of bFGF, as assessed by calcium detection using von Kossa staining. These results clearly demonstrate a positive effect of bFGF on proliferation and osteogenic induction of MSCs in 3D collagen hydrogels when applied at the appropriate concentration. Moreover, collagen hydrogel constructs containing MSCs and appropriate growth factor stimulus might be a potentially useful biological tool for 3D bone tissue engineering.     

Adipose tissue engineering based on human preadipocytes combined with gelatin microspheres containing basic fibroblast growth factor

Gelatin microspheres containing basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were prepared for the controlled release of bFGF. Co-implantation with the gelatin microspheres enabled preadipocytes to induce adipose tissue formation at the implanted site. Preadipocytes isolated from human fat tissue were suspended with the gelatin microspheres containing bFGF and incorporated into a collagen sponge of cell scaffold. Following subcutaneous implantation of the collagen sponge incorporating human preadipocytes, and gelatin microspheres containing 1 microg of bFGF into the back of nude mice, adipose tissue was formed at the implanted site of collagen sponge within 6 weeks postoperatively although the extent depended on the number of preadipocytes transplanted and the bFGF dose. The formation of adipose tissue was significant compared with the implantation of collagen sponge incorporating human preadipocytes and 1 microg of free bFGF. The area of adipose tissue newly formed was increased with the number of preadipocytes transplanted until to 1.0 x 10(5) cells/site and thereafter leveled off. The maximum area was observed at the bFGF dose of 1 microg/site. The area was significantly smaller at the bFGF dose of 0.5 microg/site or larger than 1 microg/site. Immunohistochemical examination indicated that the adipose tissue newly formed was composed of human matured adipocytes. No adipogenesis was observed at the implanted site of collagen sponge incorporating either gelatin microspheres containing bFGF or human preadipocytes and the mixed gelatin microspheres containing bFGF and human preadipocytes. We conclude that combination of gelatin microspheres containing bFGF and preadipocytes with the collagen sponge is essential to achieve tissue engineering of fat tissue.     

Cartilage tissue engineering PLLA scaffold with surface immobilized collagen and basic fibroblast growth factor

A previously reported "grafting and coating" method (J. Biomed. Mater. Res. (Appl. Biomater.) 63 (2002) 838) was modified and used to introduce stable collagen layer and incorporate basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on PLLA scaffold surface to prepare tissue engineering scaffold with improved biocompatibility. To make the modification of the 3-D porous PLLA scaffold possible, grafting of polymethacrylic acid (PMAA) onto the PLLA surface was initiated by the -OOH/Fe2+ system instead of the UV light used in the former method. Water soluble carbodimmide chemistry was applied to graft collagen onto the PLLA scaffold surface, followed by physical coating of the collagen solution with or without basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Surface modification of 2-D PLLA membrane was also done for fundamental understanding of the modification. The -COOH density on/in the PMAA grafted PLLA membrane/scaffold was measured by colorimetric method and the collagen content on/in the collagen immobilized PLLA membrane/scaffold was measured by ninhydrin method. Chondrocyte culturing on the collagen immobilized PLLA surfaces showed significantly improved cell spreading and growth. Incorporation of fibroblast growth factors in the collagen layer further enhanced the cell growth. This convenient and effective method can be used to prepare bioactive scaffolds with extra cellular matrix (ECM)-mimic composition for tissue engineering.     

碱性成纤维细胞因子对人肾成纤维细胞的影响

目的:研究碱性成纤维细胞因子(bFGF)对人肾成纤维细胞(KFB)增殖、分泌I型胶原、表达整合素β₁的影响。方法:体外培养KFB, 分别采用四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT)法、ELISA法、流式细胞仪检测KFB增殖、I型胶原分泌及整合素β₁表达水平。结果:25-50μg/L的bFGF可明显促进KFB细胞增殖(P<0.05vs对照)及分泌I型胶原(P<0.05vs对照), 同时显著增加KFB整和素β₁的表达(P<0.05vs对照).结论:bFGF可通过对整合素β₁表达的上调来促进KFB增殖及分泌I型胶原, 这可能是bFGF致肾间质纤维化的作用机制。     

重组反转录病毒碱性成纤维细胞生长因子基因转染对人骨髓基质细胞成骨的影响

背景：国内外有关成纤维细胞生长因子基因转染促血管和促肌肉生长的研究较多,而成纤维细胞生长因子基因促成骨的研究未见报道。 目的：观察重组反转录病毒retrovirus pLXSN/碱性成纤维细胞生长因子基因转染对人骨髓基质细胞成骨能力的影响。 方法：从健康志愿者全骨髓中分离培养人骨髓基质细胞,体外扩增纯化后分为4组：①retrovirus pLXSN/碱性成纤维细胞生长因子组：培养液中加入碱性成纤维细胞生长因子基因重组反转录病毒。②retrovirus pLXSN组：培养液中加入反转录病毒空载体。③阳性对照组：培养液中添加地塞米松、抗坏血酸和β-甘油磷酸钠。④空白对照组：不给予特殊处理。 结果与结论：经多次换液传代,人骨髓基质细胞呈均一梭形形态。处理后retrovirus pLXSN/碱性成纤维细胞生长因子组与阳性对照组细胞形态逐渐趋于扁平,突起减少。免疫组织化学染色见retrovirus pLXSN/碱性成纤维细胞生长因子组碱性成纤维细胞生长因子表达明显强于其他3组。retrovirus pLXSN/碱性成纤维细胞生长因子和阳性对照组可引起细胞碱性磷酸酶活性增高和矿化结节及骨胶原形成。提示基因重组反转录病毒成纤维细胞生长因子转染对人骨髓基质细胞成骨能力具有促进作用。     

Alveolar bone regeneration using poly-(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid-co-{varepsilon}-caprolactone) porous membrane with collagen sponge containing basic fibroblast growth factor: An experimental study in the dog

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of combining porous poly-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid-co-ε-caprolactone (PLGC) as a barrier membrane and collagen sponge containing basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) to promote bone regeneration in the canine mandible. In six beagle dogs, two lateral bone defects per side were created in the mandible. The lateral bone defects on the left side were treated with a PLGC membrane plus a collagen sponge containing bFGF. In half of these, the collagen sponge contained 50?μg of bFGF. In the other half, it contained 250?μg of bFGF. As a control, we treated the right-side bone defects in each animal with the same PLGC membrane but with a collagen sponge containing phosphate buffered saline. Computed tomography (CT) images were recorded at 3 and 6 months post-op to evaluate regeneration of the bone defects. After a healing period of 6 months, whole mandibles were removed for micro-CT and histological analyses. The post-op CT images showed that more bone had formed at all experimental sites than at control sites. At 3 months post-op, the volume of bone at defect sites covered with PLGC membrane plus 250?μg of bFGF was significantly greater than it was at defect sites covered with PLGC membrane plus 50?μg of bFGF. At 6 months post-op, however, this difference was smaller and not statistically significant. Micro-CT measurement showed that the volume of new bone regenerated at bone-defect sites, covered with PLGC membrane plus bFGF, was significantly greater than that of control sites. However, the presence or absence of bFGF in the collagen sponge did not significantly affect the bone density of new bone. These results suggest that the macroporous bioresorbable PLGC membrane plus collagen sponge containing bFGF effectively facilitates healing in GBR procedures.     

Regeneration of full-thickness abdominal wall defects in rats using collagen scaffolds loaded with collagen-binding basic fibroblast growth factor

Biomaterials are increasingly used in the repair of tissue defects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a new composite biomaterial for reconstruction of a 2 × 2.5 cm full-thickness abdominal wall defect. In this study, the collagen membrane was activated with the engineered human basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). To enhance the binding of bFGF to collagen membranes, a specific peptide of collagen-binding domain (CBD) was fused to the N-terminal of bFGF. After implantation, little adhesion was caused in collagen/CBD-bFGF, collagen/NAT-bFGF and collagen/PBS groups. Moreover, collagen/CBD-bFGF group could effectively promote the vascularization at 30 d after surgery and significantly accelerate the integration of myofibers into the collagen material at 90 d after surgery compared to the other two groups. Due to the replacement of the myofibers in materials, the mechanical strength of implanted biomaterials in collagen/CBD-bFGF group was also greater than the other two groups at 90 d after surgery. Thus, the collagen/CBD-bFGF composite biomaterial was promising for the treatment of full-thickness abdominal wall defect.     

Development of bFGF-Chitosan Matrices and Their Interactions with Human Dermal Fibroblast Cells

Chitosan (CH) is a naturally derived, biodegradable polymer of glucosamine with a variable frequency of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine units, and has been demonstrated to have numerous pharmacological and wound-healing properties. Biodegradable chitosan films were fabricated using a solvent casting technique and investigated for skin tissue-engineering applications. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was incorporated into the CH matrices (1 μg/film) by 3 methods: adsorption, entrapment and covalent binding. Release rates and biological activity of the incorporated bFGF were monitored. Human dermal fibroblasts (HDF cells) were used as an in vitro model for cell response to CH and bFGF-CH films. Cell attachment, growth and acid-soluble collagen quantification were employed as an assessment of cell function. The fibroblasts were found to remain viable on the chitosan films and scaffolds. CH films without bFGF were compatible with HDF cells; however, the fibroblasts did not proliferate. The release profile of adsorbed and bound bFGF from CH films were similar (indicating that binding was not efficient) while entrapped bFGF was not released in the time frame studied. The concentration of bFGF released to the cell culture medium was not high enough to stimulate HDF proliferation. However, cell attachment was significantly increased in chitosan films with bFGF adsorbed onto the surface as compared to control surfaces. HDF cells grown on CH films produced significantly more collagen than those on control surfaces.