Fig. 1
Characterization of heparinized chitosan (Hep-MeGC). a Chemical reaction to prepare Hep-MeGC from MeGC and heparin via EDC reaction, and visible-light induced hydrogel fabrication with riboflavin as a photoiniator. b1H NMR spectra of MeGC and Hep-MeGC (400 MHz, D2O) to verify heparin conjugation. c FTIR spectra of MeGC and Hep-MeGC to confirm heparin conjugation. d Toluidine blue staining images for 3 weeks to confirm stable incorporation and homogenous distribution of conjugated heparin in hydrogels. e Osteogenic efficacy of Hep-MeGC with encapsulated BMSCs. ALP staining and activity at day 4. Alizarin red S staining and relative mineralization at day 14. Immunostaining of BMP-2 in hydrogels encapsulated with BMSCs to demonstrate the sequestering ability of hydrogel. Scale bar is 200 μm. ***p < 0.001