Utilising silk fibroin membranes as scaffolds for the growth of tympanic membrane keratinocytes, and application to myringoplasty surgery.
BACKGROUND
Chronic tympanic membrane perforations can cause significant morbidity. The term myringoplasty describes the operation used to close such perforations. A variety of graft materials are available for use in myringoplasty, but all have limitations and few studies report post-operative hearing outcomes. Recently, the biomedical applications of silk fibroin protein have been studied. This material's biocompatibility, biodegradability and ability to act as a scaffold to support cell growth prompted an investigation of its interaction with human tympanic membrane keratinocytes.


METHODS
Silk fibroin membranes were prepared and human tympanic membrane keratinocytes cultured. Keratinocytes were seeded onto the membranes and immunostained for a number of relevant protein markers relating to cell proliferation, adhesion and specific epithelial differentiation.


RESULTS
The silk fibroin scaffolds successfully supported the growth and adhesion of keratinocytes, whilst also maintaining their cell lineage.


CONCLUSIONS
The properties of silk fibroin make it an attractive option for further research, as a potential alternative graft in myringoplasty.
Ear Science Institute Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. DrBrettLevin@gmail.com
B
B
Levin
S L
SL
Redmond
R
R
Rajkhowa
R H
RH
Eikelboom
M D
MD
Atlas
R J
RJ
Marano
D000328:Adult; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005349:Fibroins; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009225:Myringoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D010035:Otitis Media, Suppurative / Q000150:complications; D050784:Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D018058:Tympanic Membrane Perforation / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; C494041:ETS1 protein, human; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D050784:Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1; D005349:Fibroins