Squarate Cross-Linked Gelatin Hydrogels as Three-Dimensional Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications

Hydrogels are useful
platforms as three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds
for cell culture, drug-release systems, and regenerative medicine
applications. Here, we propose a novel chemical cross-linking approach
by the use of 3,4-diethoxy-3-cyclobutene-1,2-dione or diethyl squarate
for the preparation of 5 and 10% w/v gelatin-based hydrogels. Hydrogels
showed good swelling properties, and the 5% gelatin-based hydrogel
proved suitable as a 3D cell culture scaffold for the chondrocyte
cell line C28/I2. In addition, diffusion properties of different sized
molecules inside the hydrogel were determined.