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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
08:30
Surgical Retrieval, Isolation and In vitro Expansion of Human Anterior Cruciate Ligament-derived Cells for Tissue Engineering Applications
Published on: April 30, 2014
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Embroidered Silk Fibroin Scaffolds for ACL Tissue Engineering
Yasir Majeed1, Clemens Gögele1, Cindy Elschner2
1Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Paracelsus Medical University, Prof.-Ernst-Nathan Straße 1, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|January 10, 2026
Summary
Silk fibroin scaffolds show promise for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tissue engineering. Purified silk and silk/P(LA-CL) hybrid scaffolds support cell growth and ligament-specific gene expression, offering potential for ACL graft development.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Tissue Engineering
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture leads to joint instability and osteoarthritis risk due to poor healing.
- Silk fibroin offers cytocompatibility and biomechanical strength for tissue regeneration.
- Purification of silk removes sericin to enhance biocompatibility and reduce immunogenicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize silk fibroin-based scaffolds for ACL tissue engineering.
- To evaluate the influence of silk purification and combination with P(LA-CL) on scaffold properties.
- To assess cell interaction and gene expression within the fabricated scaffolds.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of three-layer silk scaffolds using a zigzag embroidery pattern.
- Processing of silk as untreated or purified variants, alone or combined with P(LA-CL) fibers.
- Structural, mechanical, cytotoxicity, cell adhesion, and gene expression analyses.
Main Results:
- Scaffolds exhibited tunable porosity (≈38%–70%) and mechanical properties.
- Purified silk scaffolds achieved the highest maximum force at break (≈684 N).
- Scaffolds supported fibroblast adhesion and expression of ligament-related genes, with enhanced cell-material interactions in purified silk groups.
Conclusions:
- Embroidered silk fibroin scaffolds offer reproducible architecture with adjustable porosity and mechanics.
- Scaffolds effectively support fibroblast colonization and expression of extracellular matrix components.
- These silk-based scaffolds are promising candidates for ACL tissue engineering and graft development.
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