Tailoring degradation rates of silk fibroin scaffolds for tissue engineering

Abstract

In tissue regenerative medicine, developing tunable degradation rate of biomaterials for predictive functional outcomes remains critical. The implanted scaffolds should degrade gradually along with the tissue regeneration, and the optimal degradation rate of scaffold depends on the tissue type to be regenerated. Herein, the tunable degradation rates of silk fibroin (SF) scaffolds were fabricated through controlling dissolution, hydrolyzing conditions, and freeze-drying. The pore size, water adsorption capacity, and mechanical properties of scaffolds were associated with their average molecular weights. Moreover, in vitro cytotoxicity tests demonstrated that rapid degradation of SF scaffolds would facilitate the Schwann cells proliferation. Furthermore, in vitro enzymatic degradation and in vivo subcutaneous implantation experiments illustrated that SF scaffolds degradation behaviors could be well regulated. Immunohistochemistry staining experiments suggested that SF scaffold-degradation products could promote the endothelial cells proliferation. These results indicate that SF tunable degradation rates are promising candidates in regenerative medicine.

Use of proteolytic sequences with different cleavage kinetics as a way to generate hydrogels with preprogrammed cell-infiltration patterns imparted over their given 3D spatial structure

“…[10] [11] Currently, control of degradation rate over time is crucial for scaffolds used in tissue-engineering applications and is a key factor influencing the structure and properties of the scaffold. [12] [13] [14] Elastin-like recombinamers (ELRs) are considered to be advanced biomaterials since they are multifunctional materials that can be tailored to exhibit a wide range of properties as well as functionalities such as cell adhesion, cell signaling, elasticity and biodegradability. [15] [16] [17] Moreover, they can be genetically engineered to exhibit complex biological functionalities as well as stimuli-responsiveness and, more specifically, they can change their physicochemical properties as a result of a change in a given stimulus.…”

Self‐Folding 3D Silk Biomaterial Rolls to Facilitate Axon and Bone Regeneration

“…[ 26 ] Further, the biodegradation rates of silk films can be further tuned if needed depending on the desired tissue engineering application. [ 13b,27 ] To characterize the silk rolls, we also studied the biomechanics of the rolls (Figure S11, Supporting Information). The compressive modulus was 5.86 ± 0.36 MPa for SRs and 4.65 ± 1.63 MPa for pSRs, respectively, considerably higher than that for the hydrogel systems.…”

“…[ 11 ] However, for these materials, it was still challenging to adjust the biomechanics and biocompatibility. Silk protein has been widely used in tissue engineering and regeneration [ 12 ] due to its biocompatibility, controllable biodegradability, [ 13 ] tunable biomechanical properties, [ 14 ] and low inflammatory effects. [ 15 ] Recently, spider silk and chitosan were coupled together to enable a self‐folding tube, which showed potential as nerve guidance conduits, allowing the adherence and differentiation of neuronal cells inside the tubes, and the growth of neurites.…”

Isogenic-Induced Endothelial Cells Enhance Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Silk Fibroin Scaffold

“…Silk fibroin is a widely known natural biomaterial acquired from B. mori cocoons and contains alanine, glycine and serine [42,43]. Previous reports have shown that silk fibroin has excellent biocompatibility, strong mechanical properties and low degradation rate [50][51][52]. BM-MSCs produced new ECM on patterned silk fibroin surfaces [53].…”