Strategies for the Biofunctionalization of Straining Flow Spinning Regenerated Bombyx mori Fibers

Abstract

High-performance regenerated silkworm (Bombyx mori) silk fibers can be produced efficiently through the straining flow spinning (SFS) technique. In addition to an enhanced biocompatibility that results from the removal of contaminants during the processing of the material, regenerated silk fibers may be functionalized conveniently by using a range of different strategies. In this work, the possibility of implementing various functionalization techniques is explored, including the production of fluorescent fibers that may be tracked when implanted, the combination of the fibers with enzymes to yield fibers with catalytic properties, and the functionalization of the fibers with cell-adhesion motifs to modulate the adherence of different cell lineages to the material. When considered globally, all these techniques are a strong indication not only of the high versatility offered by the functionalization of regenerated fibers in terms of the different chemistries that can be employed, but also on the wide range of applications that can be covered with these functionalized fibers.

Axonal Guidance Using Biofunctionalized Straining Flow Spinning Regenerated Silk Fibroin Fibers as Scaffold

“…In addition to the characterization of the geometrical features of the fibers, previous studies have shown that the mechanical properties of the fibers are not affected by the functionalization process [ 17 ].…”

“…The production of silk fibroin (SF) used for the manufacture of fibers is described elsewhere [ 17 ]. Silkworm cocoons were kindly provided by Professors José Luis Cenis and Salvador D. Aznar-Cervantes of the Instituto Murciano de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario y Alimentario (IMIDA; Murcia, Spain).…”

“…Fibroin is extracted from the cocoons of the silkworm Bombyx mori and, in addition to having excellent properties in terms of biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and degradation, can be processed to generate scaffolds in different formats, such as hydrogels, films, or fibers [ 16 ]. In addition, and taking advantage of the reactive groups present in its structure, such as amines in the side chains of the lysine residues or in the N-termini of the proteins, it is possible to biofunctionalize the material with different bioactive molecules [ 17 ]. The usage of biofunctionalized fibers allows exploiting the paradigm of biocompatibility [ 18 ], in which it is established that the interaction of specific cell lineages with the biomolecules present at the surface of the material determines the response of the organism to the implant.…”