Fluorinated gelatin-based scaffolds traceable by 19F MRI

Motivation: Gelatin-based scaffolds may be seeded by cells or may serve as depots for drugs and ensure their slow release. Goal(s): The goal of the study was to prepare scaffolds with tunable properties and monitor their stability in time in a mouse model in vivo. Approach: The scaffolds implanted to mice were monitored by 1H/19F MRI, fluorine content was quantified by 19F MR spectroscopy. Results: The scaffolds can be easily monitored by 19F MRI/MRS. The study confirmed that the design of the scaffolds can be fine-tuned for future applications, biodegradation rates may be set from several weeks up to one year. Impact: Gelatin-based scaffolds pave the road towards qualitatively different drug applications and regenerative medicine. The study evaluated their applicability, traceability by 1H/19FMRI, and stability in vivo. Future work should investigate release speed of different compounds (drugs) both hydrophilic and hydrophobic.