title: [Improving the biocompatibility of silicone implants using spider silk coatings: immunohistochemical analysis of capsule formation].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Optimisation of the biocompatibility of silicone implants and reduction of capsule formation around the surface of such implants are in the focus of plastic surgical biomaterial research. In addition to its extraordinary physical and biochemical properties, spider silk shows high biocompatibility. Therefore, the coating of silicone implant surfaces with recombinant spider silk was analysed regarding foreign body reactions.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the context of a preclinical study, miniaturised silicone implants were implanted in the back of 60 Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals were randomised; 30 animals received a texturised implant coated with the recombinant spider silk protein eADF4(C16) and 30 animals received uncoated implants. 3, 6 and 12 months after implantation, implants together with the surrounding capsules were removed and submitted to histological and immunohistochemical assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Coating of silicone implants with the recombinant spider silk protein eADF4(C16) resulted in a delayed and significantly decreased foreign body reaction and a reduced capsule manifestation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  eADF4(C16) seems to be a promising candidate for the reduction of foreign body-associated capsule formation. Moreover, coating of other medical implants with this recombinant spider silk protein may improve their biocompatibility with little additional effort.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Orthopädie, Unfall- und Plastische Chirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig.
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Zeplin
authors.affiliation: Lehrstuhl für Tissue Engineering und Regenerative Medizin (TERM), Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg.
authors.forename: A-K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Berninger
authors.affiliation: AMSilk GmbH, Planegg/ Martinsried.
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Maksimovikj
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Unfall-, Hand-, Plastische und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: van Gelder
authors.affiliation: Lehrstuhl für Biomaterialien, Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Scheibel
authors.affiliation: Lehrstuhl für Tissue Engineering und Regenerative Medizin (TERM), Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Walles
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018427:Breast Implants; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000473:pathology*; D015745:Granuloma, Foreign-Body / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D020034:Silicone Gels; D047011:Silk; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D020034:Silicone Gels; D047011:Silk; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D003094:Collagen