Modified porous scaffolds of silk fibroin with mimicked microenvironment based on decellularized pulp/fibronectin for designed performance biomaterials in maxillofacial bone defect

Maxillofacial bone defect is a critical problem for many patients. In severe cases, the patients need an operation using a biomaterial replacement. Therefore, to design performance biomaterials is a challenge for materials scientists and maxillofacial surgeons. In this research, porous silk fibroin scaffolds with mimicked microenvironment based on decellularized pulp and fibronectin were created as for bone regeneration. Silk fibroin scaffolds were fabricated by freeze-drying before modification with three different components: decellularized pulp, fibronectin, and decellularized pulp/fibronectin. The morphologies of the modified scaffolds were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Existence of the modifying components in the scaffolds was proved by the increase in weights and from the pore size measurements of the scaffolds. The modified scaffolds were seeded with MG-63 osteoblasts and cultured. Testing of the biofunctionalities included cell viability, cell proliferation, calcium content, alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), mineralization and histological analysis. The results demonstrated that the modifying components organized themselves into aggregations of a globular structure. They were arranged themselves into clusters of aggregations with a fibril structure in the porous walls of the scaffolds. The results showed that modified scaffolds with a mimicked microenvironment of decellularized pulp/fibronectin were suitable for cell viability since the cells could attach and spread into most of the pores of the scaffold. Furthermore, the scaffolds could induce calcium synthesis, mineralization, and ALP activity. The results indicated that modified silk fibroin scaffolds with a mimicked microenvironment of decellularized pulp/fibronectin hold promise for use in tissue engineering in maxillofacial bone defects. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1624-1636, 2017.