title: Effects of silk fibroin fiber incorporation on mechanical properties, endothelial cell colonization and vascularization of PDLLA scaffolds.
abstract: Attainment of functional vascularization of engineered constructs is one of the fundamental challenges of tissue engineering. However, the development of an extracellular matrix in most tissues, including bone, is dependent upon the establishment of a well developed vascular supply. In this study a poly(d,l-lactic acid) (PDLLA) salt-leached sponge was modified by incorporation of silk fibroin fibers to create a multicomponent scaffold, in an effort to better support endothelial cell colonization and to promote in vivo vascularization. Scaffolds with and without silk fibroin fibers were compared for microstructure, mechanical properties, ability to maintain cell populations in vitro as well as to permit vascular ingrowth into acellular constructs in vivo. We demonstrated that adding silk fibroin fibers to a PDLLA salt-leached sponge enhanced scaffold properties and heightened its capacity to support endothelial cells in vitro and to promote vascularization in vivo. Therefore refinement of scaffold properties by inclusion of materials with beneficial attributes may promote and shape cellular responses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Engineering and Biotech Research Center, University of Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stoppato
authors.forename: Hazel Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carletti
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Migliaresi
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Motta
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Guldberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D012831:Bombyx / Q000737:chemistry; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005349:Fibroins / Q000737:chemistry*; D015870:Gene Expression; D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide); D005349:Fibroins