Electrospun Nanofibrous UV Filters with Bidirectional Actuation Properties Based on Salmon Sperm DNA/Silk Fibroin for Biomedical Applications

In this study, we dissolved Bombyx mori degummed silk [i.e., silk fibroin (SF)] and salmon sperm deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in water and used a bioinspired spinning process to obtain an electrospun nanofibrous SF-based patch (ESF). We investigated the bidirectional macroscale actuation behavior of ESF in response to water vapor and its UV-blocking properties as well as those of ESF/DNA films. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results suggest that the formation of beta-sheet-rich structures promotes the actuation effect. ESF/DNA film with high-ordered and beta-sheet-rich structures exhibits higher electrical conductivity and is water-insoluble. Given the intrinsic ability of both SF and DNA to absorb UV radiation, we performed biological experiments on the viability of keratinocyte HaCaT cells after exposure to solar spectrum components. Our findings indicate that the ESF/DNA patch is photoprotective and can increase the cellular viability of keratinocytes after UV exposure. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ESF/DNA patches treated with water vapor can serve as suitable scaffolds for tissue engineering and can improve tissue regeneration when cellularized with HaCaT cells. The 3D shape morphing capability of these patches, along with their potential as UV filters, could offer significant practical advantages in tissue engineering.

Automated summary

In this study, a bioinspired spinning process was used to produce an electrospun nanofibrous silk-based patch. The patch demonstrated bidirectional macroscale actuation behavior in response to water vapor and displayed excellent UV-blocking properties. By incorporating DNA, the patch showed enhanced electrical conductivity and water-insolubility. Biological experiments confirmed that the patch provided photoprotection and improved cellular viability after UV exposure. Moreover, the patch treated with water vapor exhibited potential application as a scaffold for tissue engineering and promoted tissue regeneration when combined with HaCaT cells.