Bioselectivity of silk protein-based materials and their bio-inspired applications

Abstract

Adhesion to material surfaces is crucial for almost all organisms regarding subsequent biological responses. Mammalian cell attachment to a surrounding biological matrix is essential for maintaining their survival and function concerning tissue formation. Conversely, the adhesion and presence of microbes interferes with important multicellular processes of tissue development. Therefore, tailoring bioselective, biologically active, and multifunctional materials for biomedical applications is a modern focus of biomaterial research. Engineering biomaterials that stimulate and interact with cell receptors to support binding and subsequent physiological responses of multicellular systems attracted much interest in the last years. Further to this, the increasing threat of multidrug resistance of pathogens against antibiotics to human health urgently requires new material concepts for preventing microbial infestation and biofilm formation. Thus, materials exhibiting microbial repellence or antimicrobial behaviour to reduce inflammation, while selectively enhancing regeneration in host tissues are of utmost interest. In this context, protein-based materials are interesting candidates due to their natural origin, biological activity, and structural properties. Silk materials, in particular those made of spider silk proteins and their recombinant counterparts, are characterized by extraordinary properties including excellent biocompatibility, slow biodegradation, low immunogenicity, and non-toxicity, making them ideally suited for tissue engineering and biomedical applications. Furthermore, recombinant production technologies allow for application-specific modification to develop adjustable, bioactive materials. The present review focusses on biological processes and surface interactions involved in the bioselective adhesion of mammalian cells and repellence of microbes on protein-based material surfaces. In addition, it highlights the importance of materials made of recombinant spider silk proteins, focussing on the progress regarding bioselectivity.

Evaluation and Application of Silk Fibroin Based Biomaterials to Promote Cartilage Regeneration in Osteoarthritis Therapy

“…Additionally, it can be combined with growth factors or cytokines through controlled release, promote the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes, and promote the repair and regeneration of joint cartilage. At the same time, it can combine with stem cells or osteoblasts to form a tissue-engineered scaffold for the repair and regeneration of joint cartilage [ 159 , 160 , 161 ]. In addition, SFs can be used in combination with other biomaterials to further enhance their drug delivery [ 162 ].…”

Silk-Based Biomaterials for Designing Bioinspired Microarchitecture for Various Biomedical Applications

“…Silk has demonstrated a great potential to be used as a biomaterial for tissue regeneration among the excellent naturally available biomaterials. Silks are well-known natural fibers that are generated by a number of silkworm insects and spiders, including Bombyx mori , which is one of the sources that has received the most attention from researchers ( Figure 1 ) [ 9 , 37 , 38 ]. Despite the fact that it has a number of benefits, silk also has a number of drawbacks.…”

Poly(sulfobetaine) versus poly(ethylene glycol) based copolymer modified polyurethane catheters for antifouling

“…Consequently, this can give rise to infections, allergies, and inflammatory reactions and result in thrombosis. [8][9][10] To address the aforementioned issues, a viable and efficacious approach involving surface modification of medical catheter materials using hydrophilic substances such as chitosan, 11 heparin, 12 polyethylene glycol (PEG), 13 zwitterionic [14][15][16] polymers, and mixed-charge pseudo-zwitterionic 17,18 polymers is applied. The zwitterionic polymers possess electrical neutrality and can form a stable hydration layer on the material surface by solvating a large number of water molecules through ion solvation.…”