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Bioengineered Silk Fibroin Hydrogel Reinforced with Collagen-Like Protein Chimeras for Improved Wound Healing
Thiagarajan Hemalatha1, Mayilvahanan Aarthy1, Ashokraj Sundarapandiyan1
1Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, CSIR- Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai, 600020, India.
Macromolecular Bioscience
|October 18, 2024
Summary
This study developed a novel hydrogel from silk fibroin and collagen-like protein for wound repair. The photo-activated hydrogel (PASCH) shows enhanced cell growth and faster wound closure in vitro.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Wound repair requires advanced biomaterials that support cellular activity.
- Silk fibroin (SF) hydrogels offer a promising base, but require enhanced biological functionality.
- Tailorable collagen-like proteins can improve hydrogel properties for tissue regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of a novel hydrogel combining silk fibroin (SF) and a recombinant collagen-like protein for wound repair.
- To characterize the physico-chemical and biological properties of the photo-activated hydrogel (PASCH).
- To evaluate PASCH as a cellular matrix for enhanced cell adhesion, proliferation, and wound closure.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of hydrogels using natural silk fibroin and recombinant collagen-like protein.
- Photo-activation via riboflavin and visible light to form dityrosine crosslinks.
- Physico-chemical characterization: crosslinking, modulus, thermal stability.
- In vitro cell studies: cell adhesion, elongation, growth, proliferation, and wound closure (EA.hy926 cells).
- Gene expression analysis of cytokines and growth factors.
Main Results:
- The PASCH hydrogel demonstrated stable formation through dityrosine crosslinking.
- PASCH exhibited superior physico-chemical properties, particularly the PASCH 7:3 combination.
- Enhanced cell adhesion, elongation, growth, and proliferation were observed in vitro.
- Significant acceleration of wound closure in endothelial cell monolayers.
- Gene expression studies indicated modulation of key factors involved in cell repair and regeneration.
Conclusions:
- The fabricated PASCH hydrogel possesses improved physical and biological properties due to synergistic effects between SF and collagen-like protein.
- PASCH demonstrates significant potential as a cellular matrix for wound repair and tissue engineering applications.
- The study highlights the competency of PASCH for facilitating cell regeneration and tissue repair.
