Electrospun silk fibroin nanofibers promote Schwann cell adhesion, growth and proliferation.
In this study, Schwann cells, at a density of 1 × 10(5) cells/well, were cultured on regenerated silk fibroin nanofibers (305 ± 84 nm) prepared using the electrospinning method. Schwann cells cultured on the silk fibroin nanofibers appeared more ordered, their processes extended further, and they formed more extensive and complex interconnections. In addition, the silk fibroin nanofibers had no impact on the proliferation of Schwann cells or on the secretion of ciliary neurotrophic factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor or nerve growth factor. These findings indicate that regenerated electrospun silk fibroin nanofibers can promote Schwann cell adhesion, growth and proliferation, and have excellent biocompatibility.
Department of Otolaryngy, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, Jiangsu Province, China.
Aijun
A
Hu
College of Textiles and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, Jiangsu Province, China ; National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, Suzhou 215023, Jiangsu Province, China.
Baoqi
B
Zuo
Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, Jiangsu Province, China.
Feng
F
Zhang
Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215004, Jiangsu Province, China.
Qing
Q
Lan
Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, Jiangsu Province, China.
Huanxiang
H
Zhang
Schwann cells; electrospinning; nerve tissue engineering; neural regeneration; peripheral nerve regeneration; silk fibroin