New Silk Fibroin-Based Bioresorbable Microcarriers

We fabricated bioresorbable microcarriers from water solution of Bombyx mori silk fi broin. The microcarriers are 3D structures with intricate surface and pores allowing penetration of culture medium, gas exchange, and cell adhesion. Fibroin molecules form hydrophobic structures and normally have a negative charge, which stimulates migration, but inhibits cell adhesion and makes it less effective. In order to improve adhesion efficiency and velocity, gelatin (hydrophilic biopolymer with integrin-recognizing RGD sequence) was added to the microcarrier composition. The resultant bioresorbable microcarriers support adhesion and proliferation of 3T3 murine fibroblasts.