Interactions of Fibroblasts with Different Morphologies Made of an Engineered Spider Silk Protein

Abstract

Spider silk has been investigated for decades due to the intriguing mechanical and also biomedical properties of the silk fibers. Previously, it has been shown that recombinant silk proteins can also be processed into other morphologies. Here, we characterized scaffolds made of the recombinant spider silk protein eADF4(C16) concerning their surface interactions with fibroblasts. Studies of BALB/3T3 cells on hydrogels and films made of eADF4(C16) showed low cell adhesion without observable duplication. Electro-spun non-woven scaffolds made of eADF4(C16), however, enabled both their adhesion and proliferation. Since eADF4(C16) lacks specific motifs for cell attachment, fibroblasts cannot generate focal adhesions with the material's surface, and, therefore, other cell-interface interactions such as topographical anchorage or cell attachment mediated by adhesion of extracellular matrix proteins are discussed in this paper. On non-woven meshes protrusion of filopodia and/or lamellipodia between individual fibers increase the surface contact area, which depends on the diameter of the fibers of the non-woven meshes. In contrast, at flat (film) or microstructured surfaces (hydrogels) such interactions seem to be precluded.

Spider Silk Coatings as a Bioshield to Reduce Periprosthetic Fibrous Capsule Formation

“…[ 11 ] Recently, the protein has passed a series of preclinical safety tests including acute systemic toxicology and immunogenicity with no dose-limiting ( Figure 2 A-D). This observation is in agreement with Leal-Egana et al 2012 [ 13 ] where BALB/3T3 fi broblasts cultivated on eADF4(C16) fi lm showed about 70% reduced adhesion and a strongly reduced cell proliferation when compared to standard culture dishes. Though ensuring increased hydrophilicity and superfi cial roughness, fl at silk coatings (in contrast to fi ber networks) show less protein adsorption than other surfaces (similar to anti-fouling surfaces) and, therefore, are not attractive for fi broblasts.…”

Enhanced cellular uptake of engineered spider silk particles

“…For more details concerning the calculation of proliferation rate µ see Leal-Egana et al 20 The doubling time can be calculated using eqn (2). For more details concerning the calculation of proliferation rate µ see Leal-Egana et al 20 The doubling time can be calculated using eqn (2).…”

“…[2][3][4][5][6][7] Polymeric systems are the preferred material because many polymers show good biocompatibility, can be chemically modified according to the desired application, and are suitable for entrapment of therapeutic agents, allowing controlled release of the encapsulated drug over days or even months. eADF4(C16) is based on the repetitive core domain of the spidroin ADF4 of the European garden spider Araneus diadematus and can be processed into different morphologies including films, 17,18 hydrogels, 19 non-woven mats, 20 capsules, 21,22 and particles. Natural polymers, in contrast, are produced under mild environmental conditions (i.e.…”

Air Filter Devices Including Nonwoven Meshes of Electrospun Recombinant Spider Silk Proteins

“…eADF4(C16) has a molecular weight of 48kDa 5 and is soluble in various solvents (hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) 6 , formic acid 7 and aqueous buffers) 8 . eADF4(C16) can be processed into different morphologies such as films 9 , capsules 8 , particles 10 , hydrogels 11 , coatings 7 , fibers 12 and nonwoven meshes 6 . Due to their chemical stability, the latter provide high potential in filter applications.…”