Development of Silk Fibroin Scaffolds by Using Indirect 3D-Bioprinting Technology

Due to the excellent biocompatibility of natural polymers, a variety of natural polymers have been widely used as biomaterials for manufacturing tissue engineered scaffolds. Despite the excellent biological activity of natural polymers, there have been obstacles in using them on their own to prepare 3D scaffolds with sufficient mechanical strength. Although multiple 3D-bioprinting technologies have recently emerged as effective manufacturing tools for scaffold preparation, scaffold preparation using only natural polymers with tunable mechanical properties is still difficult. Herein, we introduce novel scaffold fabrication methods using the natural polymer silk fibroin via indirect 3D-bioprinting technology. The developed silk fibroin scaffolds showed biocompatibility and tunable mechanical strength by changing the concentration of the silk fibroin. Furthermore, controlling the flexibility of the silk fibroin scaffolds was made possible by changing the solvent for the silk fibroin solution used to fabricate the scaffold. Consequently, silk fibroin scaffolds fabricated via our method can be considered for various applications in the bioengineering of either soft or musculoskeletal tissues.

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Investigation of the biological activity, mechanical properties and wound healing application of a novel scaffold based on lignin–agarose hydrogel and silk fibroin embedded zinc chromite nanoparticles

RSC Advances ◽

10.1039/d1ra01300a ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (29) ◽

pp. 17914-17923

Author(s):

Reza Eivazzadeh-Keihan ◽

Hooman Aghamirza Moghim Aliabadi ◽

Fateme Radinekiyan ◽

Mohammad Sobhani ◽

Farzane khalili ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Wound Healing ◽

Biological Activity ◽

Silk Fibroin ◽

Agarose Hydrogel ◽

Novel Scaffold ◽

Fibroin Solution ◽

Zinc Chromite

Given the important aspects of wound healing approaches, in this work, an innovative biocompatible nanobiocomposite scaffold was designed and prepared based on cross-linked lignin–agarose hydrogel, extracted silk fibroin solution, and zinc chromite (ZnCr2O4) nanoparticles.

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A Review of Bioactive Glass/Natural Polymer Composites: State of the Art

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma13235560 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (23) ◽

pp. 5560

Author(s):

Rachele Sergi ◽

Devis Bellucci ◽

Valeria Cannillo

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Hyaluronic Acid ◽

Bioactive Glass ◽

Silk Fibroin ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Wide Spectrum ◽

Natural Polymer ◽

Natural Polymers ◽

Final System ◽

Injectable Fillers

Collagen, gelatin, silk fibroin, hyaluronic acid, chitosan, alginate, and cellulose are biocompatible and non-cytotoxic, being attractive natural polymers for medical devices for both soft and hard tissues. However, such natural polymers have low bioactivity and poor mechanical properties, which limit their applications. To tackle these drawbacks, collagen, gelatin, silk fibroin, hyaluronic acid, chitosan, alginate, and cellulose can be combined with bioactive glass (BG) nanoparticles and microparticles to produce composites. The incorporation of BGs improves the mechanical properties of the final system as well as its bioactivity and regenerative potential. Indeed, several studies have demonstrated that polymer/BG composites may improve angiogenesis, neo-vascularization, cells adhesion, and proliferation. This review presents the state of the art and future perspectives of collagen, gelatin, silk fibroin, hyaluronic acid, chitosan, alginate, and cellulose matrices combined with BG particles to develop composites such as scaffolds, injectable fillers, membranes, hydrogels, and coatings. Emphasis is devoted to the biological potentialities of these hybrid systems, which look rather promising toward a wide spectrum of applications.

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3D Bioprinting of Cardiovascular Tissues for In Vivo and In Vitro Applications Using Hybrid Hydrogels Containing Silk Fibroin: State of the Art and Challenges

Current Tissue Microenvironment Reports ◽

10.1007/s43152-020-00026-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (4) ◽

pp. 261-276

Author(s):

Laura Vettori ◽

Poonam Sharma ◽

Jelena Rnjak-Kovacina ◽

Carmine Gentile

Keyword(s):

Silk Fibroin ◽

Mechanical Stability ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Cardiac Cells ◽

3D Bioprinting ◽

Natural Polymers ◽

Cardiovascular Tissues ◽

Hybrid Hydrogels

Abstract Purpose of Review 3D bioprinting of cardiovascular tissues for in vitro and in vivo applications is currently investigated as a potential solution to better mimic the microenvironment typical of the human heart. However, optimal cell viability and tissue vascularization remain two of the main challenges in this regard. Silk fibroin (SF) as a natural biomaterial with unique features supports cell survival and tissue vascularization. This review aims to evaluate the potential of hydrogels containing SF in 3D bioprinting of cardiac tissue that better recapitulate the native cardiac microenvironment. Recent Findings SF hydrogels spontaneously develop nanocrystals, which limit their use for 3D bioprinting applications. Nevertheless, the printability of SF is improved in hybrid hydrogels by mixing it with other natural polymers (such as alginate and gelatin). This is achieved by adding SF with other polymers or by crosslinking it by peroxidase catalysis (i.e., with alginate). Compared to only SF-based hydrogels, hybrid hydrogels provide a durable bioprinted construct with improved mechanical stability and biological properties. To date, studies using cardiac cells in bioprinted SF constructs are yet to be performed. Summary Mixing SF with other polymers in bioprinted hybrid hydrogels improves the printability and durability of 3D bioprinted tissues. Studies using these hydrogels with cardiac cells will be required to evaluate the biocompatibility of SF hybrid hydrogels and to establish their potential use for cardiovascular applications.

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Chitosan hydrogel/silk fibroin/Mg(OH)2 nanobiocomposite as a novel scaffold with antimicrobial activity and improved mechanical properties

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-80133-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Reza Eivazzadeh-Keihan ◽

Fateme Radinekiyan ◽

Hooman Aghamirza Moghim Aliabadi ◽

Sima Sukhtezari ◽

Behnam Tahmasebi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antibacterial Activity ◽

Cell Viability ◽

Silk Fibroin ◽

Analytical Techniques ◽

Structural Features ◽

Mechanical Tests ◽

Chitosan Hydrogel ◽

Biological Capacity ◽

Ft Ir ◽

Novel Scaffold

AbstractHerein, a novel nanobiocomposite scaffold based on modifying synthesized cross-linked terephthaloyl thiourea-chitosan hydrogel (CTT-CS hydrogel) substrate using the extracted silk fibroin (SF) biopolymer and prepared Mg(OH)2 nanoparticles was designed and synthesized. The biological capacity of this nanobiocomposite scaffold was evaluated by cell viability method, red blood cells hemolytic and anti-biofilm assays. According to the obtained results from 3 and 7 days, the cell viability of CTT-CS/SF/Mg(OH)2 nanobiocomposite scaffold was accompanied by a considerable increment from 62.5 to 89.6% respectively. Furthermore, its low hemolytic effect (4.5%), and as well, the high anti-biofilm activity and prevention of the P. aeruginosa biofilm formation confirmed its promising hemocompatibility and antibacterial activity. Apart from the cell viability, blood biocompatibility, and antibacterial activity of CTT-CS/SF/Mg(OH)2 nanobiocomposite scaffold, its structural features were characterized using spectral and analytical techniques (FT-IR, EDX, FE-SEM and TG). As well as, given the mechanical tests, it was indicated that the addition of SF and Mg(OH)2 nanoparticles to the CTT-CS hydrogel could improve its compressive strength from 65.42 to 649.56 kPa.

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Preparation and Characterization of Silk Fibroin/Hydroxyapatite Bilayer Scaffolds

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.415-417.1810 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 415-417 ◽

pp. 1810-1815 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jian Bing Liu ◽

Qiang Tang ◽

Shen Zhou Lu ◽

Ceng Zhang ◽

Ming Zhong Li

Keyword(s):

Silk Fibroin ◽

Electron Excitation ◽

Mouse Bone Marrow ◽

High Porosity ◽

X Ray Diffraction ◽

Tissue Engineering Scaffolds ◽

Molding Method ◽

Isostatic Compaction ◽

Fibroin Solution

When the articular cartilage defect accompanies with the subchondral bone defect, using bilayer scaffolds which can integrate with surrounding host cartilage and bone tissue respectively as the tissue engineering scaffolds will be conducive to the repair of tissue defects. This paper reports a new method for preparing bilayer scaffolds. Firstly, hydroxyapatite (HA)/silk fibroin(SF) composite porous materials which have high porosity were prepared by a isostatic compaction molding method, then it was fully immersed in silk fibroin solution, and finally SF/HA bilayer scaffolds were obtained by freeze-drying. The structure of the bilayer scaffolds were investigated through scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, electron excitation spectroscopy and electron microprobe. The results indicated that the upper layer of SF/HA bilayer scaffolds is porous SF component, the under layer is the porous HA/SF composite component and the interface of the two layer is closely connected. Furthermore, mesenchymal stem cells from mouse bone marrow were seeded into the bilayer scaffolds and the results showed that the cells had a well adhesion and growth after culturing for 3 days.

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Ultrasonic, Molecular and Mechanical Testing Diagnostics in Natural Fibre Reinforced, Polymer-Stabilized Earth Blocks

International Journal of Polymer Science ◽

10.1155/2013/130582 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

C. Galán-Marín ◽

C. Rivera-Gómez ◽

F. Bradley

Keyword(s):

Soil Stabilization ◽

Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity ◽

Mechanical Tests ◽

Pulse Velocity ◽

Mechanical Resistance ◽

Chemical Compositions ◽

Natural Polymer ◽

Natural Polymers ◽

X Ray ◽

Earth Blocks

The aim of this research study was to evaluate the influence of utilising natural polymers as a form of soil stabilization, in order to assess their potential for use in building applications. Mixtures were stabilized with a natural polymer (alginate) and reinforced with wool fibres in order to improve the overall compressive and flexural strength of a series of composite materials. Ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and mechanical strength testing techniques were then used to measure the porous properties of the manufactured natural polymer-soil composites, which were formed into earth blocks. Mechanical tests were carried out for three different clays which showed that the polymer increased the mechanical resistance of the samples to varying degrees, depending on the plasticity index of each soil. Variation in soil grain size distributions and Atterberg limits were assessed and chemical compositions were studied and compared. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) techniques were all used in conjunction with qualitative identification of the aggregates. Ultrasonic wave propagation was found to be a useful technique for assisting in the determination of soil shrinkage characteristics and fibre-soil adherence capacity and UPV results correlated well with the measured mechanical properties.

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Получение нерастворимых в воде пленок из фиброина шелка, исследование их структуры и свойств

Журнал технической физики ◽

10.21883/jtf.2021.12.51787.238-21 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 91 (12) ◽

pp. 2080

Author(s):

Ю.А. Нащекина ◽

В.С. Коныгина ◽

Е.Н. Попова ◽

В.В. Кодолова-Чухонцева ◽

А.В. Нащекин ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Silk Fibroin ◽

Structural Transition ◽

Conformational Transition ◽

Cell Cultivation ◽

Natural Polymers ◽

Suture Materials ◽

Scanning Calorimetry ◽

Disordered Structure ◽

Folded Structure ◽

Scope Of Application

Silk fibroin is one of the promising natural polymers that already being used in medicine to forming of suture materials. The possibility of forming scaffolds in the form of films, sponges or gels for cell cultivation and transplantation will significantly expand the scope of application of this material in tissue engineering. The conditions for obtaining silk fibroin insoluble in water in the form of films were worked out. The structural transition on the surface of the films to a coarsely fragmented state after treatment of the films with methanol was demonstrated using optical microscopy. Using FTIR spectroscopy, the conformational transition of silk fibroin from the disordered structure of the untreated film to the β-folded structure was confirmed. Using the method of differential scanning calorimetry, the glass transition temperature of the native film was determined as 216 °C. The study of the mechanical properties of silk fibroin films in a liquid medium showed that their strength decreases and their elasticity increases by almost 15 times compared to tests of the same films in a dry state.

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