The Suitability of Silk Fibroin Based Biofilms for Cartilage Tissue Engineering

BACKGROUND/AIMS Silkworms and spiders produce silk fibroin (SF). SF protein has unique characteristics, which includes mechanical properties, biodegradation, biocompatibility, and the ability to support the differentiation of stem cells along the osteogenic lineage. These characteristics makes SF a favorable biomaterial for cartilage tissue engineering. The aim of this study was to design a SF biofilm and then to test the biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of the designed SF biofilm. MATERIAL and METHODS Characterization was executed by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer analysis spectrophotometry. Normal human articular chondrocytes were seeded on biofilm and cultured up to 2 weeks (5% CO2, 95% air and 37 degrees C) under the standard culture conditions. Phase contrast microscopy and cell proliferation assay (3-(4, 5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay) was applied for evaluation of cell attachment and cell growth. RESULTS The viability of cells was linearly correlated with optical density, and chondrocyte viability in the SF film was found to be significantly higher. CONCLUSION These results indicated that SF film supports cell proliferation without side effects and the SF film is a potential material as a cartilage tissue engineering matrix.

Automated summary

The study designed a SF biofilm and tested its biocompatibility and cytotoxicity, finding that the SF film supports cell proliferation without side effects. Results indicated that chondrocyte viability in the SF film was significantly higher, making it a potential material for cartilage tissue engineering.