L-polylactic acid porous microspheres enhance the mechanical properties and in vivo stability of degummed silk/silk fibroin/gelatin scaffold

Biomed Mater. 2020 Dec 17;16(1):015025. doi: 10.1088/1748-605X/abca11.

Abstract

Cartilage defects are among the most difficult diseases to cure in clinic. Due to the limited regeneration capacity of chondrocytes, cartilage regeneration is very difficult. Tissue engineering is a potential strategy for cartilage regeneration. The choice of scaffold is a key factor for the successful construction of tissue engineering cartilage. In this research, we successfully constructed the silk/silk fibroin/gelatin/polylactic acid porous microspheres (S/SF/G/PLLA-PMs) scaffold, then further evaluated the physical and chemical properties and biocompatibility of the composite cartilage tissue in vitro and in vivo, also the long-term survival of the composite cartilage in large animals was carried out. The research results showed that S/SF/G/PLLA-PMs composite scaffold had good biocompatibility. The addition of L-polylactic acid porous microspheres (PLLA-PMs) could significantly enhance the mechanical strength of the scaffold and achieve a multi-level pore structure. After 4 weeks of culture in vitro, composite cartilage could be constructed. Further immunohistochemical results showed that S/SF/G/PLLA-PMs scaffold could increase the long-term stability of the composite cartilage transplantation in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Cartilage / cytology
  • Cartilage / physiology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chondrocytes / cytology
  • Chondrocytes / physiology
  • Fibroins / chemistry
  • Gelatin / chemistry
  • Materials Testing
  • Microspheres
  • Polyesters / chemistry*
  • Porosity
  • Regeneration / physiology
  • Silk / chemistry*
  • Swine
  • Tissue Engineering / methods
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Polyesters
  • Silk
  • poly(lactide)
  • Gelatin
  • Fibroins