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absence of enzymes that attack the β (1→4) linkage [50]. However, an ideal scaffold should be constructed from materials degradable in the organism for replacement by natural extracellular matrix. Oxidation of cellulose (i.e., achieved by using various oxidizing agents, such as nitrogen oxides, free nitroxyl radicals, NaClO2, or CCl4) is one of the methods to increase the degradability since the oxidized polymer readily undergoes chain shortening to give oligomers which will be further hydrolyzed to smaller fragments, including glucuronic acid and glucose by hydrolytic enzymes [51, 52]. The oxidation of cellulose converts glucose residues to glucuronic acid residues containing –COOH groups which modulate the degradation kinetics of cellulose, its pH, its swelling capacity in a water solution, and mechanical stability. Additionally, the polar and negatively charged nature of the –COOH groups facilitate the oxidized cellulose to be used for functionalizing with various biomolecules [51].

      Hyaluronic acid, also called hyaluronan, is an acidic, non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan present throughout the human body. Hyaluronic acid maintains the viscoelasticity of the extracellular matrix, therefore supports cellular structure and functions. It also keeps tissues hydrated and maintains the integrity of the extracellular matrix. Mechanistically, hyaluronic acid is known to interact with the receptors CD44, Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and Hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR), and these receptor-ligand interactions have been shown to regulate cell behaviors such as motility and adhesion [40, 66]. Hyaluronic acid is receiving special attention in a broad range of applications including cosmetics industry, biomedical and tissue engineering applications. As a main component of the extracellular matrix, hyaluronic acid is involved in tissue repair and displays advantageous physical–chemical properties, like biodegradability, biocompatibility, and viscoelasticity. Commercially, hyaluronic acid has been isolated from rooster combs; besides, it has also been produced using genetically modified bacteria [40, 67]. Biological activity of hyaluronic acid depends on its molecular weight: high molecular weight hyaluronic acid has been evaluated to show a pro-resolving response, while low molecular weight hyaluronic acid is known with its pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic activities [68]. It has been hypothesized that molecular weight dependent physiological effects of hyaluronic acid can be caused by an interaction between hyaluronic acid and certain receptors via different states of aggregation [69]. Nevertheless, hyaluronic acid has some disadvantages including short turnover and poor mechanical properties. Therefore, chemical modification or crosslinking approaches targeting carboxyl groups, hydroxyl group, and –NHCOCH3 of hyaluronic acid have been studied to overcome these limitations [70]. Investigation and manufacturing composite scaffolds to improve cell viability, proliferation, attachment, differentiation, vascularization, and host integration properties have been gaining attention [66, 67]. For example, a biomimetic scaffold consisting of a bioglass–collagen–hyaluronic acid–phosphatidylserine composite has been evaluated to enhance the adhesion, proliferation, and migration properties of human mesenchymal stem cells. In another study, hyaluronic acid, silk fibroin, and collagen combinations showed to be osteogenetic [66]. Hyaluronic acid-based materials are also used in hydrogel form to obtain high water content, oxygen, nutrients, and metabolites permeable scaffolds. For instance, Zanchetta et al. designed a hydrogel scaffold based on hyaluronic acid, chondroitin 6 sulfate, and dermatan sulfate with a promising osteogenesis-promoting property in rat models [71]. Hyaluronic acid is also considered as a promising candidate for central neural tissue engineering, because of its interconnected porous structure which facilitates the delivery of nutrition and penetration of cells, nerve fibers and blood vessels. In in vivo models, hyaluronic acid was demonstrated to be effective in reducing glial and peripheral scar formation and enhancing neural regeneration [72, 73]. The modulus of hyaluronic acid hydrogels was also reported to affect differentiation of neural progenitor cells: most of the neural progenitor cells cultured in hydrogels with

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