Biomimetic nanofibrous scaffolds: preparation and characterization of chitin/silk fibroin blend nanofibers

Int J Biol Macromol. 2006 May 30;38(3-5):165-73. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2006.03.003. Epub 2006 Mar 7.

Abstract

Electrospinning of chitin/silk fibroin (SF) blend solutions in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) was investigated to fabricate a biomimetic nanostructured scaffolds for tissue engineering. The morphology of the electrospun chitin/SF blend nanofibers was investigated with a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). The average diameters of chitin/SF blend fibers decreased from 920 to 340nm, with the increase of chitin content in blend compositions. The miscibility of chitin/SF blend fibers was examined by solution viscosity measurement. The chitin and SF were immiscible in the as-spun nanofibrous structure. The dimensional stability of chitin/SF blend nanofibers, with or without water vapor after-treatment, was conducted by immersing in water. As-spun SF-rich blend nanofibrous matrices were lost their fibrous structure after the water immersion for 24h, and then changed into membrane-like structure. On the contrary, nanofibrous structures of water vapor-treated SF-rich blends were almost maintained. To assay the cytocompatibility and cell behavior on the chitin/SF blend nanofibrous scaffolds, cell attachment and spreading of normal human epidermal keratinocyte and fibroblasts seeded on the scaffolds were studied. Our results indicate that chitin/SF blend nanofibrous matrix, particularly the one that contained 75% chitin and 25% SF, could be a potential candidate for tissue engineering scaffolds because it has both biomimetic three-dimensional structure and an excellent cell attachment and spreading for NHEK and NHEF.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Biomimetics
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chitin / chemistry*
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Fibroins / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / methods
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Silk / chemistry*
  • Water / metabolism

Substances

  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Silk
  • Water
  • Chitin
  • Fibroins