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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 4, 2026

In Vivo Targeted Expression of Optogenetic Proteins Using Silk/AAV Films
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Injectable silk-based biomaterials for cervical tissue augmentation: an in vitro study.

Joseph E Brown1, Benjamin P Partlow1, Alison M Berman1

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|August 29, 2015
PubMed
Summary

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Dityrosine Cross-Linking in Designing Biomaterials.

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3D Printing of Regenerated Silk Fibroin and Antibody-Containing Microstructures via Multiphoton Lithography.

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Transparent, Nanostructured Silk Fibroin Hydrogels with Tunable Mechanical Properties.

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Silk Molecular Weight Influences the Kinetics of Enzymatically Cross-linked Silk Hydrogel Formation.

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Molecular and macro-scale analysis of enzyme-crosslinked silk hydrogels for rational biomaterial design.

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A novel injectable silk protein biomaterial shows promise for preventing preterm birth by augmenting cervical tissue. This biocompatible hydrogel mimics native cervical properties and could offer an alternative to traditional cerclage therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Regenerative Medicine

Background:

  • Cerclage therapy is a key treatment for preterm birth prevention, addressing cervical insufficiency.
  • Current cerclage methods have limitations, including variable efficacy and potential complications.
  • There is a clinical need for alternative treatments that restore native cervical tissue properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate an injectable silk protein biomaterial as a potential alternative to cerclage for cervical insufficiency.
  • To assess the mechanical properties, biocompatibility, injectability, and degradation of the silk-based biomaterial.
  • To determine if the biomaterial can augment cervical tissue to improve function.

Main Methods:

  • Silk protein solutions were enzymatically cross-linked to create tunable biomaterials matching native cervical tissue mechanics.
Keywords:
cervical shorteningcervical tissue bulkinghydrogelspreterm birthsilk protein

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  • In vitro studies assessed cell compatibility using cervical fibroblasts and biodegradation using protease solutions.
  • Human cervical tissue samples were used to demonstrate tissue augmentation and measure stiffness changes after biomaterial injection.

    • Main Results:

    • Tunable silk biomaterials were successfully created, with formulations matching cervical tissue mechanical properties selected for further study.
    • Cervical fibroblasts remained proliferative and metabolically active on the biomaterials for 6 days.
    • Biomaterial injection into cervical tissue significantly increased volume (22.6%) without altering tissue stiffness, and degradation rates were dependent on silk molecular weight.

    Conclusions:

    • Enzyme-cross-linked silk protein biomaterials are cytocompatible and demonstrate potential as cervical tissue bulking agents.
    • The biomaterials can be formulated to match the mechanical properties of native human cervical tissue.
    • Further research into these silk-based biomaterials is warranted as a potential alternative to cerclage for cervical support during pregnancy.