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Fabrication of Decellularized Cartilage-derived Matrix Scaffolds
Published on: January 7, 2019
Silkworm and spider silk scaffolds for chondrocyte support
Kris Gellynck1, Peter C M Verdonk, Els Van Nimmen
1Department of Textiles, Ghent University, Technology Park 9, 9052, Zwijnaarde, Belgium. k.gellynck@ucl.ac.uk
Journal of Materials Science. Materials in Medicine
|June 12, 2008
Summary
Silkworm and spider silk can be used to create porous scaffolds for cartilage regeneration. These silk-based biomaterials support chondrocyte attachment, proliferation, and extracellular matrix production, showing promise for tissue engineering applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Silk fibers from silkworms (Bombyx mori) and spiders (Araneus diadematus) are biocompatible protein-based materials.
- These natural fibers possess unique mechanical properties suitable for biomedical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and evaluate scaffolds using silkworm cocoon, spider egg sac, and spider dragline silk fibers.
- To investigate the potential of these silk scaffolds for chondrocyte attachment, support, and extracellular matrix production.
Main Methods:
- Scaffolds were constructed from three distinct silk fiber types: Bombyx mori cocoon, Araneus diadematus egg sac, and dragline silk.
- Human articular chondrocytes were seeded onto the bioprotein scaffolds to assess attachment and viability.
- Extracellular matrix production was analyzed using immunostaining.
- Scaffold mechanical properties (compression behavior) were correlated with porosity.
Main Results:
- The compression modulus of silkworm silk scaffolds demonstrated a direct relationship with scaffold porosity.
- Chondrocytes successfully attached to and proliferated on the various silk scaffolds over several weeks.
- The cells actively produced extracellular matrix components within the scaffolds.
Conclusions:
- Porous scaffolds can be effectively fabricated from both silkworm and spider silk for potential use in cartilage regeneration.
- The mechanical properties of these silk scaffolds are intrinsically linked to their porosity and pore size.
- Chondrocyte behavior, including cell spreading and expression, is influenced by the scaffold's porosity and pore size.
