Superior processability of Antheraea mylitta silk with cryo-milling: Performance in bone tissue regeneration.

Non-mulberry silk polymers have a promising future in biomedical applications. However, the dissolution of non-mulberry silk fiber is a still challenge and this poor processability has limited the use of this material. Here, we report a unique protocol to process the Antheraea mylitta (AM) silk fiber. We have shown that the cryo-milling of silk fiber reduces the beta sheet content by more than 10% and results in an SF powder that completely dissolves in routine solvents like trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) within few hours to form highly concentrated solutions (~20 wt%). Further, these solutions can be processed using conventional processing techniques such as electrospinning to form 3D scaffolds. Bombyx mori (BM) silk was used as a control sample in the study. In-vitro studies were also performed to monitor cell adhesion and proliferation and hMSCs differentiation into osteogenic lineage. Finally, the osteogenic potential of the scaffolds was also evaluated by a 4-week implantation study in rat calvarial model. The in-vitro and in-vivo results show that the processing techniques do not affect the biocompatibility of the material and the AM scaffolds support bone regeneration. Our results, thus, show that cryo-milling facilitates enhanced processability of non-mulberry silk and therefore expands its potential in biomedical applications.

Silk Fibroin Microparticle Scaffold for Use in Bone Void Filling: Safety and Efficacy Studies.

Silk fibroin (SF) is a natural biocompatible protein polymer extracted from cocoons of silkworm Bombyx mori. SF can be processed into a variety of different forms and shapes that can be used as scaffolds to support bone regeneration. Three-dimensional (3D) SF scaffolds have shown promise in bone-void-filling applications. In in vitro studies, it has been demonstrated that a microparticle-based SF (M-RSF) scaffold promotes the differentiation of stem cells into an osteoblastic lineage. The expression of differentiation markers was also significantly higher for M-RSF scaffolds as compared to other SF scaffolds and commercial ceramic scaffolds. In this work, we have evaluated the in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of M-RSF scaffolds as per the ISO 10993 guidelines in a Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)-certified facility. The cytotoxicity, immunogenicity, genotoxicity, systemic toxicity, and implantation studies confirmed that the M-RSF scaffold is biocompatible. Further, the performance of the M-RSF scaffold to support bone formation was evaluated in in vivo bone implantation studies in a rabbit model. Calcium sulfate (CaSO4) scaffolds were chosen as reference material for this study as they are one of the preferred materials for bone-void-filling applications. M-RSF scaffold implantation sites showed a higher number of osteoblast and osteoclast cells as compared to CaSO4 implantation sites indicating active bone remodeling. The number density of osteocytes was double for M-RSF scaffold implantation sites, and these M-RSF scaffold implantation sites were characterized by enhanced collagen deposition, pointing toward a finer quality of the new bone formed. Moreover, the M-RSF scaffold implantation sites had a negligible incidence of secondary fractures as compared to the CaSO4 implantation sites (∼50% sites with secondary fracture), implying a reduction in postsurgical complications. Thus, the study demonstrates that the M-RSF scaffold is nontoxic for bone-void-filling applications and facilitates superior healing of fracture defects as compared to commercial calcium-based bone void fillers.

Silk fibroin and ceramic scaffolds: Comparative in vitro studies for bone regeneration.

Synthetic bone void fillers based on calcium ceramics are used to fill cavities in the bone and promote bone regeneration. More recently, silk fibroin (SF), a protein polymer obtained from Bombyx mori silkworm, has emerged as a promising material in bone void filling. In this work, we have compared the safety and efficacy of two types of silk fibroin-based bone void fillers with currently used and commercially available ceramic bone void fillers (based on calcium sulphate, beta tricalcium phosphate, and beta tricalcium phosphate with hydroxyapatite). Further, we have also evaluated these two types of SF scaffolds, which have strikingly different structural attributes. The biocompatibility of these scaffolds was comparable as assessed by cytotoxicity assay, cellular adhesion assay, and immunogenic assay. Ability of the scaffolds to support differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) into an osteoblastic lineage was also evaluated in an in vitro differentiation experiment using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis. These results revealed that cells cultured on SF scaffolds exhibit higher expression of early to late markers such as Runx2, BMPs, collagen, osterix, osteopontin, and osteocalcin as compared with ceramic-based scaffolds. This observation was further validated by studying the expression of alkaline phosphatase and calcium deposition. We also show that scaffolds made from same material of SF, but characterized by very different pore architectures, have diverse outcome in stem cell differentiation.

Mechanism of Adhesion of Natural Polymer Coatings to Chemically Modified Siloxane Polymer.

Surface coatings play an important role in improving the performance of biomedical implants. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a commonly used material for biomedical implants, and surface-coated PDMS implants frequently face problems such as delamination or cracking of the coating. In this work, we have measured the performance of nano-coatings of the biocompatible protein polymer silk fibroin (SF) on pristine as well as modified PDMS surfaces. The PDMS surfaces have been modified using oxygen plasma treatment and 3-amino-propyl-triethoxy-silane (APTES) treatment. Although these techniques of PDMS modification have been known, their effects on adhesion of SF nano-coatings have not been studied. Interestingly, testing of the coated samples using a bulk technique such as tensile and bending deformation showed that the SF nano-coating exhibits improved crack resistance when the PDMS surface has been modified using APTES treatment as compared to an oxygen plasma treatment. These results were validated at the microscopic and mesoscopic length scales through nano-scratch and nano-indentation measurements. Further, we developed a unique method using modified atomic force microscopy to measure the adhesive energy between treated PDMS surfaces and SF molecules. These measurements indicated that the adhesive strength of PDMS-APTES-SF is 10 times more compared to PDMS-O2-SF due to the higher number of molecular linkages formed in this nanoscale contact. This lower number of molecular linkages in the PDMS-O2 indicates that only fewer numbers of surface hydroxyl groups interact with the SF protein through secondary interactions such as hydrogen bonding. On the other hand, a larger number of amine groups present on PDMS-APTES surface hydrogen bond with the polar amino acids present on the silk fibroin protein chain, resulting in better adhesion. Thus, APTES modification to the PDMS substrate results in improved adhesion of nano-coating to the substrate and enhances the delamination and crack resistance of the nano-coatings.

Myristic Acid Derived Sophorolipid: Efficient Synthesis and Enhanced Antibacterial Activity.

Microbial glycolipids are one of the most interesting alternatives to chemical-based surfactants as they exhibit improved biodegradability and less toxicity. However, their potential has been limited because of specificity of the yeast toward fatty acids having a carbon 16 or carbon 18 chain. This study focuses on sophorolipid (SL) production by the yeast Starmerella bombicola using myristic acid, a medium-chain carbon-14 fatty acid that has not been used as a substrate for SL production. The production was optimized for inoculum size and lipophilic substrate concentration. Furthermore, we also studied the effect of medium-chain fatty acid on yeast cell growth and optimized the process for excellent yield. The myristic acid SL (MASL) so synthesized consisted of mono- and diacetylated forms with preferential glycosylation at the methyl end group, as determined by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Individual congeners of the crude mixture were separated using dry column chromatography and then structurally characterized by mass spectrometry. The synthesized MASL was also shown to have promising surface tension, lowering abilities with a low CMC of 14 mg/L. The SL derived from myristic acid exhibited superior antibacterial activity as compared to SL derived from oleic acid. MASL was also found to be more potent against Gram-positive organisms as compared to Gram-negative organisms. This work, therefore, demonstrates successful synthesis of myristic acid-derived SL and its superior antibacterial activity, establishing a promising future for this biosurfactant.

Lauric Acid Sophorolipid: Accelerating the Gelation of Silk Fibroin.

Silk fibroin (SF) hydrogels find wide applications in tissue engineering. However, their scope has been limited due to the long gelation time in ambient conditions. This paper shows the reduction in gelation time of silk fibroin to minutes upon doping with a newly synthesized lauric acid sophorolipid (LASL). LASL comprises a fatty acid, lauric acid (with a 12-carbon aliphatic chain), that is derivatized by glucose molecules using a non-pathogenic yeast Candida bombicola. LASL was characterized using spectroscopic (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) and chromatographic (high-performance liquid chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, and high-resolution mass spectrometry) methods. This gelation of SF is comparable to the effect of an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The microstructure of SF-LASL hydrogels was investigated by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements and exhibited the beads-on-a-necklace model. The rheological properties of these hydrogels show similarity to SF-SDS hydrogels, therefore presenting a greener alternative for tissue engineering applications.

Structural and physical analysis of underwater silk from housing nest composites of a tropical chironomid midge.

Chironomids are an abundant group of aquatic silk spinning insects. They offer a unique opportunity of silk harvestation without killing them; however, they remained underappreciated models in silk research. Here, we investigate the structural and biomechanical characteristics of silk from the midge, Chironomus ramosus. A combination of microscopic (SEM), spectroscopic (CD and IR), structural (XRD), thermal (DSC and TGA) and mechanical measurement tools and techniques were employed to gain critical insights on midge silk. Maximum yield of silk was obtained from Chironomus in ~2.5 h, the shortest time reported among insects. The network of water-insoluble silk fibres possessed the smallest diameter of 110 ± 35 nm, known for any insect silk, qualifying its superiority in fibre fineness. We demonstrate a cruelty-free silk extraction method in contrast to the conventional violent techniques. Structural characterization indicated coexistence of various secondary conformations, beta sheets being predominant. We compare and contrast these features to well-characterized caddisfly and silkworm silks and highlight the uniqueness in midge silk that render mechanical stability and potentially contribute to its multi-functionalization. We thus propose Chironomus as an emerging candidate of water-borne silk, especially in the context of the 'Peace silk' industry, aiming to develop non-violent methods for silk harvestation from animals.

Silk Fibroin-Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Gelation: Molecular, Structural, and Rheological Insights.

A gelling agent is necessary to accelerate sol to gel transition in an aqueous solution of silk fibroin (SF), which otherwise takes several days to complete. In this paper, we investigate the mechanism of gelation of Bombyx mori SF by a model anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Even though interactions between SDS and proteins have been extensively investigated, most of these studies have focused on globular proteins, which undergo denaturation. The interaction with a fibrous protein such as SF is different and results in an altered secondary structure leading to gelation. In this work, the concentration-dependent gelation process of the SF-SDS system is examined using rheology, SANS, FTIR, and NMR. We observed preferential binding of SDS to specific regions on the SF chain, which aids structural changes favoring ß-sheet formation. We propose a mechanism for the accelerated sol-gel transition in the SF-SDS system.

Glycomonoterpene-Functionalized Crack-Resistant Biocompatible Silk Fibroin Coatings for Biomedical Implants.

Surface coatings for biomedical implants have been used to prevent premature failure of the implant due to bacterial biofilm formation and foreign body reaction. Delamination, cracking, crazing, etc. are frequent problems associated with coatings when implants are subjected to mechanical deformation either during surgical handling or during use. We demonstrate here a novel process that results in the formation of a coating that is stable under mechanical stresses in tensile, torsion, and bending modes. The coating process involves a combination of two conventional coating processes, namely, dip coating and electrospinning. Polydimethylsiloxane was selected as the substrate owing to its wide use in biomedical implants. Silk fibroin, a natural biocompatible protein polymer obtained from the Bombyx mori silkworm, was used for demonstrating the process of coating. The coating was also further functionalized using a green biomolecule , glycomonoterpene prepared using citronellal and glucose. These functional compounds are being touted as the next-generation antibiofilm molecules on account of quorum sensing inhibitory activity. We have demonstrated that the quorum-quenching activity of the biomolecule is retained during the processing steps and that the coatings exhibited an excellent antibiofilm activity against common infection-causing bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis. These silk fibroin-glycomonoterpene coatings can be used for implants in biomedical applications such as breast implants and catheter tubings.

Silk fibroin micro-particle scaffolds with superior compression modulus and slow bioresorption for effective bone regeneration.

Silk fibroin (SF), a natural polymer produced by Bombyx mori silkworms, has been extensively explored to prepare porous scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. Here, we demonstrate, a scaffold made of SF, which exhibits compression modulus comparable to natural cancellous bone while retaining the appropriate porosities and interconnected pore architecture. The scaffolds also exhibit high resistance to in-vitro proteolytic degradation due to the dominant beta sheet conformation of the SF protein. Additionally, the scaffolds are prepared using a simple method of microparticle aggregation. We also demonstrate, for the first time, a method to prepare SF micro-particles using a Hexafluoroisopropanol-Methanol solvent-coagulant combination. SF microparticles obtained using this method are monodisperse, spherical, non-porous and extremely crystalline. These micro-particles have been further aggregated together to form a 3D scaffold. The aggregation is achieved by random packing of these microparticles and fusing them together using a dilute SF solution. Preliminary in-vitro cell culture and in-vivo implantation studies demonstrate that the scaffolds are biocompatible and they exhibit the appropriate early markers, making them promising candidates for bone regeneration.

Silk-Mesoporous Silica-Based Hybrid Macroporous Scaffolds using Ice-Templating Method: Mechanical, Release, and Biological Studies.

Development of biocompatible, biodegradable, and drug-eluting macroporous three-dimensional scaffolds that mimic the extracellular matrix of cells remains an important challenge in tissue engineering. In this endeavor, we report the preparation of self-standing macroporous scaffold composed of the natural biopolymer silk fibroin and mesoporous silica particle using the ice-templating strategy. Using methanol as a physical cross-linker, we were able to make self-standing scaffolds with very high mesoporous silica content (∼75% by weight) and with varying mechanical properties (38 ± 1.0 to 181 ± 5.9 kPa). These macroporous scaffolds have ∼80% porosity with an average pore size of 60 µm. Scaffolds that encapsulated the small molecule doxorubicin (as a model drug) and macromolecule fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugate-bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA) (as a model protein) were also prepared. We demonstrate that the release behavior of encapsulated molecules like doxorubicin (∼35% release) and FITC-BSA (∼47% release) is largely influenced by their interaction with the mesoporous silica particles and the silk fibroin. The biodegradability property of silk hybrid scaffolds is also determined in the presence of protease enzyme, which demonstrates ∼90% degradation in 21 d. Biological studies on ice-templated hybrid silk scaffolds demonstrate excellent biocompatibility, which indicates that hybrid scaffolds are promising candidate for therapeutically relevant repair and regeneration of soft tissues such as tendon and nascent bone.

Silk Fibroin-Sophorolipid Gelation: Deciphering the Underlying Mechanism.

Silk fibroin (SF) protein, produced by silkworm Bombyx mori, is a promising biomaterial, while sophorolipid (SL) is an amphiphilic functional biosurfactant synthesized by nonpathogenic yeast Candida bombicola. SL is a mixture of two forms, acidic (ASL) and lactonic (LSL), which when added to SF results in accelerated gelation of silk fibroin. LSL is known to have multiple biological functionalities and hence hydrogels of these green molecules have promising applications in the biomedical sector. In this work, SANS, NMR, and rheology are employed to examine the assembling properties of individual and mixed SLs and their interactions with SF to understand the mechanism that leads to rapid gelation. SANS and NMR studies show that ASL assembles to form charged micelles, while LSL forms micellar assemblies and aggregates of a mass fractal nature. ASL and LSL together form larger mixed micelles, all of which interact differently with SF. It is shown that preferential binding of LSL to SF causes rapid unfolding of the SF chain leading to the formation of intermolecular beta sheets, which trigger fast gelation. Based on the observations, a mechanism for gelation of SF in the presence of different sophorolipids is proposed.

Sol-gel assisted fabrication of collagen hydrolysate composite scaffold: a novel therapeutic alternative to the traditional collagen scaffold.

Collagen is one of the most widely used biomaterial for various biomedical applications. In this Research Article, we present a novel approach of using collagen hydrolysate, smaller fragments of collagen, as an alternative to traditionally used collagen scaffold. Collagen hydrolysate composite scaffold (CHCS) was fabricated with sol-gel transition procedure using tetraethoxysilane as the silica precursor. CHCS exhibits porous morphology with pore sizes varying between 380 and 780 µm. Incorporation of silica conferred CHCS with controlled biodegradation and better water uptake capacity. Notably, 3T3 fibroblast proliferation was seen to be significantly better under CHCS treatment when compared to treatment with collagen scaffold. Additionally, CHCS showed excellent antimicrobial activity against the wound pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli due to the inherited antimicrobial activity of collagen hydrolysate. In vivo wound healing experiments with full thickness excision wounds in rat model demonstrated that wounds treated with CHCS showed accelerated healing when compared to wounds treated with collagen scaffold. These findings indicate that the CHCS scaffold from collagen fragments would be an effective and affordable alternative to the traditionally used collagen structural biomaterials.

Synthesis of silk fibroin-glycopolypeptide conjugates and their recognition with lectin.

Silk fibroin (SF), the natural fibrous protein created by the Bombyx mori silk worm, is being increasingly explored as a biomaterial for tissue engineering due to its excellent mechanical strength, high oxygen/water permeability, and biocompatibility. It is also well known that surface modification of SF with organic ligands such as the extracellular protein binding Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides help adhesion and proliferation of cells better-a key requirement for it to function as extracellular matrices. In this work, we have conjugated synthetic glycopolypeptides (GPs) that were synthesized by controlled ring-opening polymerization of α-manno-lys N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs) onto SF by using Cu catalyzed click reaction to synthesize a new hybrid material (SF-GP), which we believe will have both the mechanical properties of native SF and the molecular recognition property of the carbohydrates in the GP. By controlling the amount of GP grafted onto SF, we have made three SF-GP conjugates that differ in their ability to assemble into films. SF-GP conjugates having a very high content of GP formed completely water-soluble brush-like polymer that displayed very high affinity toward the lectin concanavalin-A (Con-A). Films cast from SF-GP conjugates using lower amounts of grafted GP were more stable in water, and the stability can be modulated by varying the amount of GP grafted. The water-insoluble film SF-GP(25) was also found to bind to fluorescently labeled Con-A, as was seen by confocal microscopy. Such SF-GP hybrid films may be useful as mimics of extracellular matrices for tissue engineering.