Small-diameter vascular grafts of Bombyx mori silk fibroin prepared by a combination of electrospinning and sponge coating

The present study aimed to produce small-diameter grafts made of a silk fibroin by electrospinning. In order to reinforce the electrospun silk fibroin graft (ES), the graft was coated with a silk sponge (ESSC). Physical properties such as a diameter of the electrospun silk fibers were influenced by a concentration of fibroin solution. Ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the ESSC graft was improved compared to the ES graft. However, the ESSC graft was less compliant than the ES graft. Importantly. water permeability of the ESSC graft was within the range of which endothelialization was promoted in previous studies. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.