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Postproduction Processing of Electrospun Fibres for Tissue Engineering
Published on: August 9, 2012
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Electrospun silk-elastin-like fibre mats for tissue engineering applications
Raul Machado1, André da Costa, Vitor Sencadas
1CBMA (Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology), Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
Biomedical Materials (Bristol, England)
|November 30, 2013
Summary
Researchers developed novel silk-elastin-like protein (SELP) fibers using electrospinning. These biocompatible protein-based polymers show potential for advanced tissue engineering applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Protein-based polymers serve vital structural and mechanical functions in nature.
- Recombinant protein-based polymers (rPBPs) offer customizable composition via protein engineering and recombinant DNA technology.
- rPBPs represent a superior biomaterial class compared to natural or synthetic alternatives due to design flexibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To electrospin novel silk-elastin-like proteins (SELPs) into functional biomaterials.
- To characterize the morphology, stability, and physical properties of the electrospun SELP fibers.
- To evaluate the cytocompatibility and cell interaction of the SELP fiber mats for tissue engineering.
Main Methods:
- Electrospinning of two genetically engineered SELPs using formic acid and aqueous solutions.
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphology assessment.
- Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to monitor structural changes (random coils to β-sheets) upon methanol treatment.
- Assessment of swelling degree, water vapor transmission rate, and mechanical properties.
- In vitro cytotoxicity assays and fibroblast adhesion/proliferation studies.
Main Results:
- Electrospun SELP fiber morphology depended on concentration and solvent.
- Methanol treatment stabilized structures, promoting water insolubility via β-sheet formation.
- Methanol-treated SELP mats exhibited high swelling (570-720%) and a water vapor transmission rate of 1083 g/m²/day.
- Mechanical properties included a modulus of elasticity of ~126 MPa.
- SELP fiber mats demonstrated no cytotoxicity and supported human skin fibroblast adhesion and proliferation via filopodia.
Conclusions:
- Electrospun SELP fiber mats are tunable biomaterials with promising properties.
- Methanol treatment enhances structural stability and water insolubility.
- These SELP materials are cytocompatible and support cell functions essential for tissue regeneration.
- SELP fiber mats offer a viable platform for developing advanced tissue engineering solutions.
