Abstract
Biophysical properties of the extracellular environment dynamically regulate cellular fates. In this review, we highlight silk, an indispensable polymeric biomaterial, owing to its unique mechanical properties, bioactive component sequestration, degradability, well-defined architectures, and biocompatibility that can regulate temporospatial biochemical and biophysical responses. We explore how the materiobiology of silks, both mulberry and non-mulberry based, affect cell behaviors including cell adhesion, cell proliferation, cell migration, and cell differentiation. Keeping in mind the novel biophysical properties of silk in film, fiber, or sponge forms, coupled with facile chemical decoration, and its ability to match functional requirements for specific tissues, we survey the influence of composition, mechanical properties, topography, and 3D geometry in unlocking the body’s inherent regenerative potential.
Highlights
To form and regenerate tissues, cells attain a staggering amount of molecular information from their microenvironment; where the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a “guiding” element for cells, and highly responsive to cellular behavior (Place et al, 2009)
Silk has emerged as a natural biomaterial that can govern, and perhaps even trigger, specific stem cell differentiation based on its intrinsic toughness, mechanical strength, biocompatibility, molecular tunability, topography, geometry, chemical functionality, degradability, and degradation byproducts (Figure 1; Altman et al, 2003; Karageorgiou et al, 2006; Pritchard et al, 2011)
This study demonstrated a higher expression of osteogenic genes on the stiffer hydrogels (120 kPa) revealing that a higher stiffness provides strong cues to control cell behaviors and osteogenic differentiation (Ding et al, 2020)
Summary
To form and regenerate tissues, cells attain a staggering amount of molecular information from their microenvironment; where the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a “guiding” element for cells, and highly responsive to cellular behavior (Place et al, 2009). The Materiobiology of Silk characteristics (Guvendiren and Burdick, 2012) and ECM degradability (Khetan et al, 2013) can induce changes in cellular behavior Such emerging dynamic biomaterial chemistries can provide a “give and take” between cells and materials (Murphy et al, 2014). Silk has emerged as a natural biomaterial that can govern, and perhaps even trigger, specific stem cell differentiation based on its intrinsic toughness, mechanical strength, biocompatibility, molecular tunability, topography, geometry, chemical functionality, degradability, and degradation byproducts (Figure 1; Altman et al, 2003; Karageorgiou et al, 2006; Pritchard et al, 2011). This review discusses the materiobiology of silk, highlighting its ECM-mimicking potential and application in stimulating tissue regeneration (Table 1) by influencing cellular adhesion, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Materiobiology design considerations will be addressed for tailoring cellular fate: topology (alignment, patterning, roughness), surface modifications, composites, mechanical properties, and material source (Figure 2)
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