Novel chitin scaffolds derived from marine sponge Ianthella basta for tissue engineering approaches based on human mesenchymal stromal cells: Biocompatibility and cryopreservation.

The extraordinary biocompatibility and mechanical properties of chitinous scaffolds from marine sponges endows these structures with unique properties that render them ideal for diverse biomedical applications. In the present work, a technological route to produce "ready-to-use" tissue-engineered products based on poriferan chitin is comprehensively investigated for the first time. Three key stages included isolation of scaffolds from the marine demosponge Ianthella basta, confirmation of their biocompatibility with human mesenchymal stromal cells, and cryopreservation of the tissue-like structures grown within these scaffolds using a slow cooling protocol.

3D chitinous scaffolds derived from cultivated marine demosponge Aplysina aerophoba for tissue engineering approaches based on human mesenchymal stromal cells.

The recently discovered chitin-based scaffolds derived from poriferans have the necessary prosperities for potential use in tissue engineering. Among the various demosponges of the Verongida order, Aplysina aerophoba is an attractive target for more in-depth investigations, as it is a renewable source of unique 3D microporous chitinous scaffolds. We found these chitinous scaffolds were cytocompatible and supported attachment, growth and proliferation of human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) in vitro.