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Silkworm and spider silk scaffolds for chondrocyte support

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Abstract

Objective To create scaffolds with silkworm cocoon, spider egg sac and spider dragline silk fibres and examine their use for chondrocyte attachment and support. Methods Three different kinds of scaffolds were developed with Bombyx mori cocoon, Araneus diadematus egg sac and dragline silk fibres. The attachment of human articular cartilage cells were investigated on these bioprotein matrices. The chondrocytes produced an extracellular matrix which was studied by immunostaining. Moreover, the compression behaviour in relation to the porosity was studied. Results The compression modulus of a silkworm silk scaffold was related to its porosity. Chondrocytes were able to attach and to grow on the different fibres and in the scaffolds for several weeks while producing extracellular matrix products. Conclusion Porous scaffolds can be made out of silkworm and spider silk for cartilage regeneration. Mechanical properties are related to porosity and pore size of the construct. Cell spreading and cell expression depended on the porosity and pore-size.

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Acknowledgement

This project was funded by the BOF (Special research Fund: B/03191/01, fund IV1) of the University of Ghent, and by FWO Grant 3G026305.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Engineering, Department of Textiles, Ghent University, Technology Park 9, 9052, Zwijnaarde, Belgium

    Kris Gellynck, Els Van Nimmen, Gustaaf Schoukens, Lieva Van Langenhove & Paul Kiekens

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, OK12, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Peter C. M. Verdonk & Karl F. Almqvist

  3. Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Tom Gheysens & Johan Mertens

  4. Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, OK12, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Gust Verbruggen

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  1. Kris Gellynck
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Correspondence to Kris Gellynck.

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Gellynck, K., Verdonk, P.C.M., Van Nimmen, E. et al. Silkworm and spider silk scaffolds for chondrocyte support. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 19, 3399–3409 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-008-3474-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-008-3474-6

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