Silks as scaffolds for skin reconstruction

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• High molecular weight proteins from arthropod silks have potential applications in medicine.
• Silk-derived materials are being explored for their biological properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the use of arthropod silks for enhancing human skin wound healing.
• To summarize silk preparation, scaffold fabrication, and functionalization methods for wound healing applications.

Main Methods:

• Extensive literature search and categorization of publications on silk preparation and application.
• Analysis of studies involving silk scaffold fabrication (casting, electrospinning) and modification (coating, blending).
• Review of research utilizing cell-seeded silk scaffolds and in vitro/in vivo testing.

Main Results:

• Silk scaffolds can be prepared through various processing techniques, including solubilization, casting, and electrospinning.
• Functionalization of silk scaffolds via coating or blending, and vitalization with skin or stem cells, enhances their properties.
• In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate the safety and efficiency of silk scaffolds in wound healing models.

Conclusions:

• Silk scaffolds exhibit excellent biocompatibility and versatility, making them suitable for wound healing applications.
• Further research is required to fully understand the potential of silk in diverse wound models and facilitate clinical translation.