The effect of native silk fibroin powder on the physical properties and biocompatibility of biomedical polyurethane membrane

Abstract

Naturally derived fibers such as silk fibroin can potentially enhance the biocompatibility of currently used biomaterials. This study investigated the physical properties of native silk fibroin powder and its effect on the biocompatibility of biomedical polyurethane. Native silk fibroin powder with an average diameter of 3 µm was prepared on a purpose-built machine. A simple method of phase inversion was used to produce biomedical polyurethane/native silk fibroin powder hybrid membranes at different blend ratios by immersing a biomedical polyurethane/native silk fibroin powder solution in deionized water at room temperature. The physical properties of the membranes including morphology, hydrophilicity, roughness, porosity, and compressive modulus were characterized, and in vitro biocompatibility was evaluated by seeding the human umbilical vein endothelial cells on the top surface. Native silk fibroin powder had a concentration-dependent effect on the number and morphology of human umbilical vein endothelial cells growing on the membranes; cell number increased as native silk fibroin powder content in the biomedical polyurethane/native silk fibroin powder hybrid membrane was increased from 0% to 50%, and cell morphology changed from spindle-shaped to cobblestone-like as the native silk fibroin powder content was increased from 0% to 70%. The latter change was related to the physical characteristics of the membrane, including hydrophilicity, roughness, and mechanical properties. The in vivo biocompatibility of the native silk fibroin powder-modified biomedical polyurethane membrane was evaluated in a rat model; the histological analysis revealed no systemic toxicity. These results indicate that the biomedical polyurethane/native silk fibroin powder hybrid membrane has superior in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility relative to 100% biomedical polyurethane membranes and thus has potential applications in the fabrication of small-diameter vascular grafts and in tissue engineering.

Fabrication of a High-Toughness Polyurethane/Fibroin Composite without Interfacial Treatment and Its Toughening Mechanism

“…Due to the advantages of superfine technology, fibroin powder is currently being explored as a green alternative for preparing regenerated materials. Typically, fibroin powder is blended with a synthetic polymer, especially polyurethane, to meet the diversity of demand for functional materials owing to their improved mechanical properties. , Different superfine fibroin powder/polyurethane-based materials have been demonstrated in our previous studies (Figure ), i.e., breathable textile coatings, bionic fibers, efficient dye sorbents for removing dyes from textile effluents, drug delivery for controlling heparin release, and small-diameter vascular tubular materials with high biocompatibility to blood both in vivo and in vitro . − However, despite the remarkable potential and diversity of fibroin powder blends, their applications have been limited by challenges including poor mechanical properties and brittleness associated with a high concentration of superfine fibroin powders. Recently, researchers have tried to improve the mechanical properties of silk fibroin blends by plasma treatment, but unfortunately, the results are not satisfactory .…”

Biological effects different diameters of Tussah silk fibroin nanofibers on olfactory ensheathing cells

“…It has been verified that TSF has good biocompatibility, permeability and biodegradability, with a low inflammatory response and other favorable qualities (28,29). TSF supports cell growth, proliferation and differentiation; in vivo studies have also reported that it facilitates tissue repair (30,31).…”

Polylactic acid/silk fibroin composite hollow fibers as excellent controlled drug release systems

“…Polylactic acid resin (6202D) with an average molecular weight of 97 kDa consisting of 98% l ‐lactide and 2% d ‐lactide units was purchased from Nature Works LLC, USA. Silk fibroin protein was obtained from silk and made in laboratory, and the silk fibroin used in this experiment is water‐insoluble 24–25 . The 1,4‐dioxane was purchased from Sinopharm Chemical Reagent Co., Ltd. Tetracycline hydrochloride (C 22 H 24 N 2 O 8 .…”