Processing Windows for Forming Silk Fibroin Biomaterials into a 3D Porous Matrix

Abstract

In the present study we clarify phase diagrams related to silk fibroin processing into three-dimensional porous structures useful for biomaterials and for scaffolds in tissue engineering. All-aqueous and organic solvent (hexafluoroisopropanol) modes of processing are compared relative to solution concentration of silk protein polymer and size of porogen (NaCl particles). The results clarify the range of conditions under which these biomaterial matrices can be formed, with a broader range of pore sizes and smoother surface morphology generated from the organic solvent process. These structures are directly applicable to fundamental studies of protein-based biomaterial assembly as well as cell interactions and tissue formation with these systems.

Sustainable Three-Dimensional Tissue Model of Human Adipose Tissue

“…When salt-leached scaffolds are prepared from different silk solutions, for example, aqueous or solvent, the resulting pore's appearance is altered yielding either ''rough'' or ''smooth'' pores. 35,36 We felt it was important to initially compare the two types of pores (rough and smooth) in light of the work linking cellular spreading to stem cell differentiation. 39 Cell density and cytoskeletal forces influence stem cell commitment via the RhoA and ROCK pathways.…”

“…HFIP-based silk scaffolds have smoother pores when compared with aqueous-based silk scaffolds. 35 These salt-leached porous silk scaffolds, or slight variations of, used in this study have been extensively employed by our group. 9,13,14,18,[36][37][38] These scaffolds have a sponge-like morphology with pores present throughout the scaffold.…”

Preparation of porous apatite granules from calcium phosphate cement

“…The use of NaCl as the porogen to achieve such significant pore sizes in biomaterials was rather seen in the production of porous scaffolds of polymeric origin, such as polycaprolactone [40], gelatin [41], polyurethane [42,43], silk fibroin [44], polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) [45,46], poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) [47,48], polypropylene fumarate [49], copoly-L-lactide-epsilon-caprolactone [50], and polymethylmetacrylate [51].…”

Construction and <i>in vitro</i> characterization of three-dimensional silk fibroinchitosan scaffolds

“…Silk is a naturally occurring fibrous protein commonly produced by insects and spiders. It demonstrates great biocompatibility alongside outstanding mechanical properties and proteolytic degradation 8,9) . Silk fibroins have excellent mechanical properties, thus enabling SF scaffolds to be able to support several cell types such as osteoblast-like cells and bone marrow stromal cells.…”