Keratin is the major structural fibrous protein providing outer covering such as wool, hair, and nail. Keratin is useful as natural protein. We developed the keratin loaded poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA) scaffolds (keratin/PLGA) for the possibility of the application of the tissue engineering using bone marrow mesenchymal (BMSCs). Keratin/PLGA (contents 0%, 10%, 20% and 50% of PLGA weight) scaffolds were prepared by solvent casting/salt leaching method. We characterized porosity, wettability, and water uptake ability, DSC of keratin/PLGA scaffold. We seeded BMSCs isolated from the femurs of rat into the inner core of the hybrid scaffold. Celluar viability were assayed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. We confirmed that keratin/PLGA scaffold is hydrophilic by wettability, and water uptake ability measurement results. In MTT assay results, cell viability in scaffolds impregnated 10 and 20 wt% of keratin were higher than other scaffolds. In conclusion, we suggest that keratin/PLGA scaffold may be useful to tissue engineering using BMSCs.

케라틴은 울, 머리카락, 손톱 등을 형성하는 섬유단백질의 주요성분으로 유용한 생체재료이다. 골수간엽 줄기세포를 이용한 조직공학 적용을 위해 poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA)에 함량별로 케라틴을 함유한 지지체를 용매 캐스팅/염 추출법을 이용하여 제조하였다. 제조된 지지체의 표면과 단면의 형태를 전자현미경(SEM)으로 관찰하고 특성분석을 위해 다공도, 표면 적심성, 물 흡수성, 그리고 열적성질을 분석하였다. 이 후 쥐에서 분리한 골수간엽줄기세포를 지지체에 파종하여 세포의 증식율을 (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide(MTT) 분석방법을 이용하여 측정하였다. 천연/합성 하이브리드 담체인 케라틴/PLGA 지지체는 PLGA 단독으로 제조된 지지체와 비교 시 골수간엽줄기세포의 생장에 유익한 환경을 제공함을 확인하였다.

Keywords: keratin; scaffold; bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)