Hyaluronic acid-based scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Abstract

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural glycosaminoglycan found in the extracellular matrix of most connective tissues. Due to its chemical structure, HA is a hydrophilic polymer and it is characterized by a fast degradation rate. HA-based scaffolds for tissue engineering are intensively studied due to their increased biocompatibility, biodegradability and chemical modification. Depending on the processing technique, scaffolds can be prepared in the form of hydrogels, sponges, cryogels, and injectable hydrogels, all discussed in this review.