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Robust Nanofiber Mats Exfoliated From Tussah Silk for Potential Biomedical Applications
Ming Chen1,2, Jianzhong Qin3,4, Shijun Lu1
1The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou Stomatological Hospital, Suzhou, China.
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
|December 20, 2021
Summary
Tussah silk fibroin (TSF) nanofiber mats show enhanced mechanical strength and biocompatibility. These robust, slow-degrading biomaterials hold promise for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Nanofibers are crucial for developing advanced bioscaffolds in tissue engineering.
- Tussah silk fibroin (TSF) presents a promising natural material for bioscaffold fabrication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of mechanical disintegration time on TSF nanofiber mat properties.
- To evaluate the morphology, structure, mechanical characteristics, degradation, and cell compatibility of TSF nanofiber mats.
Main Methods:
- Mechanical disintegration of tussah silk to produce nanofibers.
- Casting of nanofibers into mats and characterization using SEM.
- Assessment of mechanical properties, in vitro degradation, and NIH-3T3 cell compatibility.
Main Results:
- Decreased nanofiber diameter (139.7 nm) with increased shearing time (30 min).
- Enhanced breaking strength (up to 72.68 MPa) correlated with reduced fiber diameter.
- Demonstrated biocompatibility with NIH-3T3 cell adhesion, spreading, and proliferation, alongside slow in vitro degradation (>10% weight loss in 30 days).
Conclusions:
- TSF nanofiber mats are mechanically robust, slowly biodegradable, and biocompatible.
- These properties make TSF nanofiber mats highly suitable for regenerative medicine applications.
