Abstract: AimTo prepare cells scaffolds with the characteristics of sustained release of proteins. MethodsChitosan scaffolds was prepared by freeze-drying. Porosity and water content of scaffolds were determined. Bovine serum album (BSA) was selected as a model protein. Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres were prepared by double emulsion solvent evaporation and encapsulated into chitosan scaffolds. The morphology of PLGA microspheres and various scaffolds were observed using scanning electron microscope. Release behavior of BSA from various chitosan scaffolds was investigated. ResultsThe chitosan scaffold represents porous. At the -70 ℃ of quenching temperature, the porosity and water content of chitosan scaffolds were 78.6%±1.5% and 85.1%±6.2%, respectively. PLGA microspheres can be uniformly encapsulated into scaffolds without any morphology change. Significant sustained release of BSA from PLGA microspheres encapsulated into scaffolds was obtained. The cumulative release at 168 h was only 33.5%, while that of BSA from chitosan scaffolds at 24 h was above 90%. The release behavior can be controlled by adjusting the amount of chitosan in scaffolds and the type of PLGA. ConclusionThe novel chitosan scaffolds encapsulating PLGA microspheres proved to be a promising cells scaffolds with controlling the release of growth factors in tissue engineering.