Graphene oxide-composited chitosan scaffold contributes to functional recovery of injured spinal cord in rats

Electrical stimulation and conductive materials: electrophysiology-based treatment for spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury is a serious disease of the central nervous system. The electrophysiological properties of the spinal cord that are essential to maintaining neurotransmission can be impaired after the injury. Therefore, electrophysiological evaluation is becoming an important indicator of the injury extent or the therapeutic outcomes by reflecting the potential propagation of neural pathways. On the other hand, the repair of damaged nerves is one of the main goals of spinal cord injury treatment. Growing research interest has been concentrated on developing effective therapeutic solutions to restore the normal electrophysiological function of the injured spinal cord by using conductive materials and/or exerting the merits of electrical stimulation. Accordingly, this review introduces the current common electrophysiological evaluation in spinal cord injury. Then the cutting-edge therapeutic strategies aiming at electrophysiological improvement in spinal cord injury are summarized. Finally, the challenges and future prospects of neural restoration after spinal cord injury are presented.

Postoperatively Noninvasive Optogenetic Stimulation via Upconversion Nanoparticles Enhancing Sciatic Nerve Repair

The efficacy of electrical stimulation facilitating peripheral nerve regeneration is evidenced extensively, while the associated secondary damage resulting from repeated electrode invasion and indiscriminate stimulation is inevitable. Here, we present an optogenetics strategy that utilizes upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) to convert deeply penetrating near-infrared excitation into blue emission, which activates an adeno-associated virus-encoding ChR2 photoresponsive ion channel on cell membranes. The induced Ca2+ flux, similar to the ion flux in the electrical stimulation approach, efficiently regulates viability and proliferation, secretion of nerve growth factor, and neural function of RSC96 cells. Furthermore, deep near-infrared excitation is harnessed to stimulate autologous Schwann cells in situ via a UCNP-composited scaffold, which enhances nerve sprouting and myelination, consequently promoting functional recovery, electrophysiological restoration, and reinnervation of damaged nerves. This developed postoperatively noninvasive optogenetics strategy presents a novel, minimally traumatic, and enduring therapeutic stimulus to effectively promote peripheral nerve repair.

Chitosan-2D Nanomaterial-Based Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications

Chitosan (CS) and two-dimensional nanomaterial (2D nanomaterials)-based scaffolds have received widespread attention in recent times in biomedical applications due to their excellent synergistic potential. CS has garnered much attention as a biomedical scaffold material either alone or in combination with some other material due to its favorable physiochemical properties. The emerging 2D nanomaterials, such as black phosphorus (BP), molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), etc., have taken huge steps towards varying biomedical applications. However, the implementation of a CS-2D nanomaterial-based scaffold for clinical applications remains challenging for different reasons such as toxicity, stability, etc. Here, we reviewed different types of CS scaffold materials and discussed their advantages in biomedical applications. In addition, a different CS nanostructure, instead of a scaffold, has been described. After that, the importance of 2D nanomaterials has been elaborated on in terms of physiochemical properties. In the next section, the biomedical applications of CS with different 2D nanomaterial scaffolds have been highlighted. Finally, we highlighted the existing challenges and future perspectives of using CS-2D nanomaterial scaffolds for biomedical applications. We hope that this review will encourage a more synergistic biomedical application of the CS-2D nanomaterial scaffolds and their utilization clinical applications.

Advances in electroactive bioscaffolds for repairing spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neurological disorder, leading to loss of motor or somatosensory function, which is the most challenging worldwide medical problem. Re-establishment of intact neural circuits is the basis of spinal cord regeneration. Considering the crucial role of electrical signals in the nervous system, electroactive bioscaffolds have been widely developed for SCI repair. They can produce conductive pathways and a pro-regenerative microenvironment at the lesion site similar to that of the natural spinal cord, leading to neuronal regeneration and axonal growth, and functionally reactivating the damaged neural circuits. In this review, we first demonstrate the pathophysiological characteristics induced by SCI. Then, the crucial role of electrical signals in SCI repair is introduced. Based on a comprehensive analysis of these characteristics, recent advances in the electroactive bioscaffolds for SCI repair are summarized, focusing on both the conductive bioscaffolds and piezoelectric bioscaffolds, used independently or in combination with external electronic stimulation. Finally, thoughts on challenges and opportunities that may shape the future of bioscaffolds in SCI repair are concluded.

Polysaccharides as a promising platform for the treatment of spinal cord injury: A review

Spinal cord injury is incurable and often results in irreversible damage to motor function and autonomic sensory abilities. To enhance the effectiveness of therapeutic substances such as cells, growth factors, drugs, and nucleic acids for treating spinal cord injuries, as well as to reduce the toxic side effects of chemical reagents, polysaccharides have been gained attention due to their immunomodulatory properties and the biocompatibility and biodegradability of polysaccharide scaffolds. Polysaccharides hold potential as drug delivery systems in treating spinal cord injuries. This article aims to present an extensive evaluation of the potential applications of polysaccharide materials in scaffold construction, drug delivery, and immunomodulation over the past five years so that offering new directions and opportunities for the treatment of spinal cord injuries.

Recent progresses in neural tissue engineering using topographic scaffolds

Neural tissue engineering as alternatives to recover damaged tissues and organs is getting more and more attention due to the lack of regeneration ability of natural tissue nervous system after injury. Particularly, topographic scaffolds are one of the critical elements to guide nerve orientation and reconnection with characteristics of mimic the natural extracellular matrix. This review focuses on scaffolds preparation technologies, topographical features, scaffolds-based encapsulations delivery strategies for neural tissue regeneration, biological functions on nerve cell guidance and regeneration, and applications of topographic scaffolds in vivo and in vitro. Here, the recent developments in topographic scaffolds for neural tissue engineering by simulating neural cell topographic orientation and differentiation are presented. We also explore the challenges and future perspectives of topographical scaffolds in clinical trials and practical applications.

Neural regeneration ability of Polypyrrole-Collagen-Quercetin composite in the spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a major clinical problem in young patients. The major hurdle in SCI regeneration is the replacement of lost nerve communication signals due to injury. Here we have prepared a biocompatible electrical conductive composite such as Collagen-Polypyrrole combined with Quercetin (Col-PPy-Qur) composite. The prepared composites are characterized for their chemical functionality and morphology by the FTIR and SEM & TEM analysis, respectively. The Col-PPy-Qur composite observed electrical conductivity at 0.0653 s/cm due to the conductive Polypyrrole polymer present in the composite. The Col-PPy-Qur composite exhibits a mechanical strength of 0.1281 mPa, similar to the native human spinal cord's mechanical strength. In order to explore the regeneration potential, the viability of the composite has been tested with human astrocyte cells (HACs). The Tuj1 and GFAF marker expression was quantized by RT-PCR analysis. Increased Tuj1 and decreased GFAF expression by the Col-PPy-Qur composite indicated the potential differentiation ability of the HACs into neuron cells. The results indicated that the Col-PPy-Qur composite could have good regeneration and differentiation ability, better biocompatibility, and suitable mechanical and conductivity properties. It can act as an excellent strategy for spinal cord regeneration in the nearer future.

Electro-conductive chitosan/graphene bio-nanocomposite scaffold for tissue engineering of the central nervous system

Degenerative central nervous system (CNS) disorders and traumatic brain injuries are common nowadays. These may induce the loss of neuronal cells and delicate connections essential for optimal CNS function. The CNS tissue has restricted regeneration ability, hindering the development of effective therapies. Developing cell and tissue instructive materials may bring up new treatment possibilities. In this study, chitosan-graphene nano platelets (GNPs) composite films were developed to regenerate brain cells. This study evaluates the effects of GNP concentration (0.5, 1 and 2 wt%) and their alignment on mechanical, electrical, surface, protein adsorption and biological properties of the regenerative scaffolds. Incorporating and aligning GNPs into chitosan matrix improved all the physical and biological properties. On reinforced scaffolds, HT22 cell morphology mimics pyramidal brain cells, which are responsible for the brain's highly branched neural network. Additionally, the reinforced scaffolds supported Mesenchymal Stem like Cells growth and were biocompatible in vivo. The alignment of GNPs in the chitosan matrix offered the appropriate physicochemical and biological properties to promote adhesion, proliferation and shape morphogenesis of hippocampal HT22 neuronal cells. Overall, this study delineates the enormous potential offered by the GNP-reinforced scaffolds for regeneration of central nervous system, especially the brain.

Spinal cord injury: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic interventions

Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a severe condition with an extremely high disability rate. The challenges of SCI repair include its complex pathological mechanisms and the difficulties of neural regeneration in the central nervous system. In the past few decades, researchers have attempted to completely elucidate the pathological mechanism of SCI and identify effective strategies to promote axon regeneration and neural circuit remodeling, but the results have not been ideal. Recently, new pathological mechanisms of SCI, especially the interactions between immune and neural cell responses, have been revealed by single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptome analysis. With the development of bioactive materials and stem cells, more attention has been focused on forming intermediate neural networks to promote neural regeneration and neural circuit reconstruction than on promoting axonal regeneration in the corticospinal tract. Furthermore, technologies to control physical parameters such as electricity, magnetism and ultrasound have been constantly innovated and applied in neural cell fate regulation. Among these advanced novel strategies and technologies, stem cell therapy, biomaterial transplantation, and electromagnetic stimulation have entered into the stage of clinical trials, and some of them have already been applied in clinical treatment. In this review, we outline the overall epidemiology and pathophysiology of SCI, expound on the latest research progress related to neural regeneration and circuit reconstruction in detail, and propose future directions for SCI repair and clinical applications.

Review: Application of chitosan and its derivatives in medical materials

Chitin is a natural polymeric polysaccharide extracted from marine crustaceans, and chitosan is obtained by removing part of the acetyl group (usually more than 60 %) in chitin's structure. Chitosan has attracted wide attention from researchers worldwide due to its good biodegradability, biocompatibility, hypoallergenic and biological activities (antibacterial, immune and antitumor activities). However, research has shown that chitosan does not melt or dissolve in water, alkaline solutions and general organic solvents, which greatly limits its application range. Therefore, researchers have carried out extensive and in-depth chemical modification of chitosan and prepared a variety of chitosan derivatives, which have expanded the application field of chitosan. Among them, the most extensive research has been conducted in the pharmaceutical field. This paper summarizes the application of chitosan and chitosan derivatives in medical materials over the past five years.

Applications of chitosan-based biomaterials: From preparation to spinal cord injury neuroprosthetic treatment

Spinal cord injury (SCI)-related disabilities are a serious problem in the modern society. Further, the treatment of SCI is highly challenging and is urgently required in clinical practice. Research on nerve tissue engineering is an emerging approach for improving the treatment outcomes of SCI. Chitosan (CS) is a cationic polysaccharide derived from natural biomaterials. Chitosan has been found to exhibit excellent biological properties, such as nontoxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradation, and antibacterial activity. Recently, chitosan-based biomaterials have attracted significant attention for SCI repair in nerve tissue engineering applications. These studies revealed that chitosan-based biomaterials have various functions and mechanisms to promote SCI repair, such as promoting neural cell growth, guiding nerve tissue regeneration, delivering nerve growth factors, and as a vector for gene therapy. Chitosan-based biomaterials have proven to have excellent potential for the treatment of SCI. This review aims to introduce the recent advances in chitosan-based biomaterials for SCI treatment and to highlight the prospects for further application.

Chitosan-Based Biomaterials for Tissue Regeneration

Chitosan is a chitin-derived biopolymer that has shown great potential for tissue regeneration and controlled drug delivery. It has numerous qualities that make it attractive for biomedical applications such as biocompatibility, low toxicity, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, and many others. Importantly, chitosan can be fabricated into a variety of structures including nanoparticles, scaffolds, hydrogels, and membranes, which can be tailored to deliver a desirable outcome. Composite chitosan-based biomaterials have been demonstrated to stimulate in vivo regeneration and the repair of various tissues and organs, including but not limited to, bone, cartilage, dental, skin, nerve, cardiac, and other tissues. Specifically, de novo tissue formation, resident stem cell differentiation, and extracellular matrix reconstruction were observed in multiple preclinical models of different tissue injuries upon treatment with chitosan-based formulations. Moreover, chitosan structures have been proven to be efficient carriers for medications, genes, and bioactive compounds since they can maintain the sustained release of these therapeutics. In this review, we discuss the most recently published applications of chitosan-based biomaterials for different tissue and organ regeneration as well as the delivery of various therapeutics.

Graphene Oxide-Carbamoylated Chitosan Hydrogels with Tunable Mechanical Properties for Biological Applications

Chitosan (CH)-based hydrogels have been extensively researched in numerous biological applications, including drug delivery, biosensing, wound healing, and tissue engineering, to name a few. Previously, modified CH hydrogels by carbamoylation, using potassium cyanate (KCNO) as the cross-linker, have shown improvement in viscoelastic properties and biocompatibility. In this study, graphene oxide (GO) nanofillers are added to carbamoylated CH to form a nanocomposite hydrogel and study the influence of CH molecular weight (M_w) and GO loading concentrations on hydrogel properties. The physical properties (swelling, degradation, and porous structure) of the hydrogels can be tuned as required for cell attachment and spreading by varying both the GO concentration and the M_w of CH. Rheological characterization showed an improvement in the mechanical properties (storage modulus, yield stress, and viscosity) of the synthesized CH-GO hydrogels with an increase in the M_w of CH and the GO concentration. Human retinal pigmented epithelial-1 (RPE-1) cells seeded onto the prepared hydrogel scaffolds showed good cell viability, adhesion, and cell spreading, confirming their cytocompatibility, with dependence on both M_w of CH and GO loading.

Therapeutic Approaches Targeting Vascular Repair After Experimental Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts the spinal cord vasculature resulting in ischemia, amplification of the secondary injury cascade and exacerbation of neural tissue loss. Restoring functional integrity of the microvasculature to prevent neural loss and to promote neural repair is an important challenge and opportunity in SCI research. Herein, we summarize the course of vascular injury and repair following SCI and give a comprehensive overview of current experimental therapeutic approaches targeting spinal cord microvasculature to diminish ischemia and thereby facilitate neural repair and regeneration. A systematic review of the published literature on therapeutic approaches to promote vascular repair after experimental SCI was performed using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) standards. The MEDLINE databases PubMed, Embase, and OVID MEDLINE were searched using the keywords "spinal cord injury," "angiogenesis," "angiogenesis inducing agents," "tissue engineering," and "rodent subjects." A total of 111 studies were identified through the search. Five main therapeutic approaches to diminish hypoxia-ischemia and promote vascular repair were identified as (1) the application of angiogenic factors, (2) genetic engineering, (3) physical stimulation, (4) cell transplantation, and (5) biomaterials carrying various factor delivery. There are different therapeutic approaches with the potential to diminish hypoxia-ischemia and promote vascular repair after experimental SCI. Of note, combinatorial approaches using implanted biomaterials and angiogenic factor delivery appear promising for clinical translation.

Is Graphene Shortening the Path toward Spinal Cord Regeneration?

Along with the development of the next generation of biomedical platforms, the inclusion of graphene-based materials (GBMs) into therapeutics for spinal cord injury (SCI) has potential to nourish topmost neuroprotective and neuroregenerative strategies for enhancing neural structural and physiological recovery. In the context of SCI, contemplated as one of the most convoluted challenges of modern medicine, this review first provides an overview of its characteristics and pathophysiological features. Then, the most relevant ongoing clinical trials targeting SCI, including pharmaceutical, robotics/neuromodulation, and scaffolding approaches, are introduced and discussed in sequence with the most important insights brought by GBMs into each particular topic. The current role of these nanomaterials on restoring the spinal cord microenvironment after injury is critically contextualized, while proposing future concepts and desirable outputs for graphene-based technologies aiming to reach clinical significance for SCI.

The Provenance, Providence, and Position of Endothelial Cells in Injured Spinal Cord Vascular Pathology

Endothelial cells (ECs) and pericytes are present in all blood vessels. Their position confers an important role in controlling oxygen and nutrient transportation to the different organs. ECs can adopt different morphologies based on their need and functions. Both ECs and pericytes express different surface markers that help in their identification, but heterogeneity and overlapping between markers among different cells pose a challenge for their precise identification. Spatiotemporal association of ECs and pericytes have great importance in sprout formation and vessel stabilization. Any traumatic injury in CNS may lead to vascular damage along with neuronal damage. Hence, ECs-pericyte interaction by physical contact and paracrine molecules is crucial in recovering the epicenter region by promoting angiogenesis. ECs can transform into other types of cells through endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), promoting wound healing in the epicenter region. Various signaling pathways mediate the interaction of ECs with pericytes that have an extensive role in angiogenesis. In this review, we discussed ECs and pericytes surface markers, the spatiotemporal association and interaction of ECs-pericytes, and signaling associated with the pathology of traumatic SCI. Linking the brain or spinal cord-specific pathologies and human vascular pathology will pave the way toward identifying new therapeutic targets and developing innovative preventive strategies. Endothelial-pericyte interaction strategic for formation of functional neo-vessels that are crucial for neurological recovery.

Applications of Chitosan in Surgical and Post-Surgical Materials

The continuous advances in surgical procedures require continuous research regarding materials with surgical applications. Biopolymers are widely studied since they usually provide a biocompatible, biodegradable, and non-toxic material. Among them, chitosan is a promising material for the development of formulations and devices with surgical applications due to its intrinsic bacteriostatic, fungistatic, hemostatic, and analgesic properties. A wide range of products has been manufactured with this polymer, including scaffolds, sponges, hydrogels, meshes, membranes, sutures, fibers, and nanoparticles. The growing interest of researchers in the use of chitosan-based materials for tissue regeneration is obvious due to extensive research in the application of chitosan for the regeneration of bone, nervous tissue, cartilage, and soft tissues. Chitosan can serve as a substance for the administration of cell-growth promoters, as well as a support for cellular growth. Another interesting application of chitosan is hemostasis control, with remarkable results in studies comparing the use of chitosan-based dressings with traditional cotton gauzes. In addition, chitosan-based or chitosan-coated surgical materials provide the formulation with antimicrobial activity that has been highly appreciated not only in dressings but also for surgical sutures or meshes.

Bioactive 2D nanomaterials for neural repair and regeneration

Biomaterials have provided promising strategies towards improving the functions of injured tissues of the nervous system. Recently, 2D nanomaterials, such as graphene, layered double hydroxides (LDHs), and black phosphorous, which are characterized by ultrathin film structures, have attracted much attention in the fields of neural repair and regeneration. 2D nanomaterials have extraordinary physicochemical properties and excellent biological activities, such as a large surface-area-to-thickness ratio, high levels of adhesion, and adjustable flexibility. In addition, they can be designed to have superior biocompatibility and electrical or nano-carrier properties. To date, many 2D nanomaterials have been used for synaptic modulation, neuroinflammatory reduction, stem cell fate regulation, and injured neural cell/tissue repair. In this review, we discuss the advances in 2D nanomaterial technology towards novel neurological applications and the mechanisms underlying their unique features. In addition, the future outlook of functional 2D nanomaterials towards addressing the difficult issues of neuropathy has been explored to introduce a promising strategy towards repairing and regenerating the injured nervous system.

Graphene and graphene-based materials in axonal repair of spinal cord injury

Graphene and graphene-based materials have the ability to induce stem cells to differentiate into neurons, which is necessary to overcome the current problems faced in the clinical treatment of spinal cord injury. This review summarizes the advantages of graphene and graphene-based materials (in particular, composite materials) in axonal repair after spinal cord injury. These materials have good histocompatibility, and mechanical and adsorption properties that can be targeted to improve the environment of axonal regeneration. They also have good conductivity, which allows them to make full use of electrical nerve signal stimulation in spinal cord tissue to promote axonal regeneration. Furthermore, they can be used as carriers of seed cells, trophic factors, and drugs in nerve tissue engineering scaffolds to provide a basis for constructing a local microenvironment after spinal cord injury. However, to achieve clinical adoption of graphene and graphene-based materials for the repair of spinal cord injury, further research is needed to reduce their toxicity.

An Update on Graphene-Based Nanomaterials for Neural Growth and Central Nervous System Regeneration

Thanks to their reduced size, great surface area, and capacity to interact with cells and tissues, nanomaterials present some attractive biological and chemical characteristics with potential uses in the field of biomedical applications. In this context, graphene and its chemical derivatives have been extensively used in many biomedical research areas from drug delivery to bioelectronics and tissue engineering. Graphene-based nanomaterials show excellent optical, mechanical, and biological properties. They can be used as a substrate in the field of tissue engineering due to their conductivity, allowing to study, and educate neural connections, and guide neural growth and differentiation; thus, graphene-based nanomaterials represent an emerging aspect in regenerative medicine. Moreover, there is now an urgent need to develop multifunctional and functionalized nanomaterials able to arrive at neuronal cells through the blood-brain barrier, to manage a specific drug delivery system. In this review, we will focus on the recent applications of graphene-based nanomaterials in vitro and in vivo, also combining graphene with other smart materials to achieve the best benefits in the fields of nervous tissue engineering and neural regenerative medicine. We will then highlight the potential use of these graphene-based materials to construct graphene 3D scaffolds able to stimulate neural growth and regeneration in vivo for clinical applications.

Preparation, properties and application of graphene-based materials in tissue engineering scaffolds

Tissue engineering has great application prospect as an effective treatment for tissue and organ injury, functional reduction or loss. Bioactive tissues are reconstructed and damaged organs are repaired by the three elements including cells, scaffold materials and growth factors. Graphene-based composites can be used as reinforcing auxiliary materials for tissue scaffold preparation because of their large specific surface area, and good mechanical support. Tissue engineering scaffolds with graphene-based composites have been widely studied. Part of research have focused on the application of graphene-based composites in single tissue engineering; The basic principles of graphene materials used in tissue engineering are summarized in some researches. Some studies emphasized the key problems and solutions urgently needed to be solved in the development of tissue engineering, and discussed their application prospect. Some related studies mainly focused on the conductivity of graphene, and discussed the application of electroactive scaffolds in tissue engineering. In this review, the composite materials for preparing tissue engineering scaffolds are briefly described, which emphasizes the preparation methods, biological properties and practical applications of graphene-based composite scaffolds. The synthetic techniques with stressing solvent casting, electrospinning and 3D printing are introduced in detail. The mechanical, cell-oriented and biocompatible properties of graphene-based composite scaffolds in tissue engineering are analyzed and summarized. Their applications in bone tissue engineering, nerve tissue engineering, cardiovascular tissue engineering and other tissue engineering are summarized systematically. In addition, this work also looks forward to the difficulties and challenges in the future research, providing some references for the follow-up research of graphene-based composites in tissue engineering scaffolds.

Research advances of biomaterials-based microenvironment-regulation therapies for repair and regeneration of spinal cord injury

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) usually results in restricted behaviour recovery and even life-changing paralysis, accompanied with numerous complications. Pathologically, the initial injuries trigger a series of secondary injuries, leading to an expansion of lesion site, a mass of neuron loss, and eventual failure of endogenous axon regeneration. As the advances rapidly spring up in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering biomaterials, regulation of these secondary injuries becomes possible, shedding a light on normal functional restoration. The successful tissue regeneration lies in proper regulation of the inflammatory microenvironment, including the inflammatory immune cells and inflammatory factors that lead to oxidative stress, inhibitory glial scar and neuroexcitatory toxicity. Specifically, the approaches based on microenvironment-regulating biomaterials have shown great promise in the repair and regeneration of SCI. In this review, the pathological inflammatory microenvironments of SCI are discussed, followed by the introduction of microenvironment-regulating biomaterials in terms of their impressive therapeutic effect in attenuation of secondary inflammation and promotion of axon regrowth. With the emphasis on regulating secondary events, the biomaterials for SCI treatment will become promising for clinical applications.

Synthesis and fabrication of films including graphene oxide functionalized with chitosan for regenerative medicine applications

Graphene oxide (GO) has recently gained attention as a scaffold reinforcing agent for tissue engineering. Biomechanical and biological properties through a synergistic effect can be strengthened when combined with other materials such as chitosan (CS). For that reason, chitosan was used for Graphene Oxide (GO) functionalization through an amide group whose formation was evident by bands around 1600 cm⁻¹ in the FTIR analysis. Furthermore, bands located at 1348 cm⁻¹ (D band), 1593 cm⁻¹ (G band), and 2416 cm⁻¹ (2D band) in the RAMAN spectrum, and the displacement of the signal at 87.03 ppm (C5) in solid-state ¹³C-NMR confirmed the amide formation. Films including the CS-GO compound were prepared and characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), where CS-GO film presented a lighter mass loss (~10% less loosed) than CS due probably to the covalent functionalization with GO, providing film thermal resistance. The CS-GO films synthesized were implanted in Wistar rats' subdermal tissue as a first approximation to the biological response. In vivo tests showed a low inflammatory response, good cicatrization, and advanced resorption at 60 days of implantation, as indicated by histological images. It was evidenced that the covalent union between CS and GO increased biocompatibility and the degradation/resorption capacity, demonstrating tissue regeneration with typical characteristics and tiny remnants of implanted material surrounded by a type III collagen capsule. These results show the potential application of the new synthesized films, including the CS-GO compound, in tissue engineering.