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Tang J, Wen Z, Zhai M, Zhang J, Zhang S, Cui Y, Guo Q, Zhu K, Wang J, Liu Q. Environmental-friendly, flexible silk fibroin-based film as dual-responsive shape memory material. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 269:131748. [PMID: 38670194 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Bio-based shape memory materials have attracted wide attention due to their biocompatibility, degradability and safety. However, designing and manufacturing wearable bio-based shape memory films with excellent flexibility and toughness is still a challenge. In this work, silk fibroin substrate with a β-sheet structure was combined with a tri-block shape memory copolymer to prepare a transparent composited shape memory film. The silk fibroin-based film showed a dual-responsive shape memory function, which can respond to both temperature and water stimuli. This film has a sensitive water-responsive shape memory, which starts deforming after exposure to water for 3 s and fully recovers in 30 s. In addition, the composite film shows highly stretchable (>300 %) and could maintain its high tensile properties after 5 cycles of regeneration. The films also exhibited rapid degradation ability. This study provides new insights for the design of dual-responsive shape memory materials by combining biocompatible matrix and multi-block SMP to simultaneously enhance the mechanical properties, which can be used for intelligent packaging, medical supplies, soft actuators and wearable devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingzhi Tang
- National Local Joint Laboratory for Advanced Textile Processing and Clean Production, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China
| | - Zhongyuan Wen
- National Local Joint Laboratory for Advanced Textile Processing and Clean Production, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China
| | - Maomao Zhai
- National Local Joint Laboratory for Advanced Textile Processing and Clean Production, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China
| | - Jinming Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Engineering Plastics, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100190, China
| | - Shouwei Zhang
- National Local Joint Laboratory for Advanced Textile Processing and Clean Production, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China
| | - Yongming Cui
- National Local Joint Laboratory for Advanced Textile Processing and Clean Production, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China
| | - Qingfeng Guo
- National Local Joint Laboratory for Advanced Textile Processing and Clean Production, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China
| | - Kunkun Zhu
- National Local Joint Laboratory for Advanced Textile Processing and Clean Production, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China.
| | - Jinfeng Wang
- National Local Joint Laboratory for Advanced Textile Processing and Clean Production, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China
| | - Qingtao Liu
- National Local Joint Laboratory for Advanced Textile Processing and Clean Production, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China.
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Tan G, Jia T, Qi Z, Lu S. Regenerated Fiber's Ideal Target: Comparable to Natural Fiber. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:1834. [PMID: 38673192 PMCID: PMC11050933 DOI: 10.3390/ma17081834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The toughness of silk naturally obtained from spiders and silkworms exceeds that of all other natural and man-made fibers. These insects transform aqueous protein feedstocks into mechanically specialized materials, which represents an engineering phenomenon that has developed over millions of years of natural evolution. Silkworms have become a new research hotspot due to the difficulties in collecting spider silk and other challenges. According to continuous research on the natural spinning process of the silkworm, it is possible to divide the main aspects of bionic spinning into two main segments: the solvent and behavior. This work focuses on the various methods currently used for the spinning of artificial silk fibers to replicate natural silk fibers, providing new insights based on changes in the fiber properties and production processes over time.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Shenzhou Lu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (G.T.); (T.J.); (Z.Q.)
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Qi Z, Tao X, Tan G, Tian B, Zhang L, Kundu SC, Lu S. Electro-responsive silk fibroin microneedles for controlled release of insulin. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 242:124684. [PMID: 37148951 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
To date, very limited work has been done on convenient and active control of insulin release. Herein, we report an electro-responsive insulin delivery system based on thiolated silk fibroin. The disulfide cross-linking points in TSF were reduced and broken to form sulfhydryl groups under electrification, which led to the increase of microneedle swelling degree and promoted insulin release. After power failure, the sulfhydryl group is oxidised to form disulfide bond crosslinking point again, resulting in the reduction of microneedle swelling degree and thus the reduction of release rate. The insulin loaded in the electro-responsive insulin delivery system showed good reversible electroresponsive release performance. The addition of graphene reduced the microneedle resistance and increased the drug release rate under current conditions. In vivo studies on type 1 diabetic mice show that electro-responsive insulin delivery system effectively controls the blood glucose before and after feeding by switching on and off the power supply, and this blood glucose control can be maintained within the safe range (100-200 mg/dL) for a long time (11h). Such electrically responsive delivery microneedles show potential for integration with glucose signal monitoring and are expected to build closed-loop insulin delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Qi
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaosheng Tao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China
| | - Guohongfang Tan
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Tian
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China
| | - Lehao Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China
| | - Subhas C Kundu
- I3Bs Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegrabilities, and Biomimetics, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University of Minho, Barco 4805017, Portugal
| | - Shenzhou Lu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China.
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Chen Y, Hao Y, Mensah A, Lv P, Wei Q. Bio-inspired hydrogels with fibrous structure: A review on design and biomedical applications. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2022; 136:212799. [PMID: 35929334 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2022.212799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Numerous tissues in the human body have fibrous structures, including the extracellular matrix, muscles, and heart, which perform critical biological functions and have exceptional mechanical strength. Due to their high-water content, softness, biocompatibility and elastic nature, hydrogels resemble biological tissues. Traditional hydrogels, on the other hand, have weak mechanical properties and lack tissue-like fibrous structures, limiting their potential applications. Thus, bio-inspired hydrogels with fibrous architectures have piqued the curiosity of biomedical researchers. Here, we review fabrication strategies for fibrous hydrogels and their recent progress in the biomedical fields of wound dressings, drug delivery, tissue engineering scaffolds and bioadhesives. Challenges and future perspectives are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Eco-textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Hao
- Key Laboratory of Eco-textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Alfred Mensah
- Key Laboratory of Eco-textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengfei Lv
- Key Laboratory of Eco-textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Qufu Wei
- Key Laboratory of Eco-textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China.
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Deng Q, Wang F, Gough CR, Hu X. Tunable microphase-regulated silk fibroin/poly (lactic acid) biocomposite materials generated from ionic liquids. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 197:55-67. [PMID: 34952094 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.12.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
One of the most effective and promising strategies to develop novel biomaterials with unique, tunable structure and physicochemical properties is by creating composite materials that combine synthetic polymers with natural proteins using ionic liquids. In this study, biodegradable poly(d,l-lactic acid) (PDLLA) was blended with silk fibroin (SF) to create biocompatible films using an ionic liquid-based binary solvent system (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride/N,N-dimethylformamide), which can maintain the molecular weights of the proteins/polymers and encourage intermolecular interactions between the molecules. The effects of varying the ratio of PLA to SF were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), water contact angle testing, and cytotoxicity analysis as well as enzymatic degradation. Results showed that the composite films were homogeneously blended on the macroscopic scale and exhibited typical fully miscible polymer blend characteristics. By increasing the SF content in the composites, the amounts of β-sheets in the films were significantly increased, allowing for SF to act as a physical crosslinker to maintain the stability of the protein-polymer network. Additionally, SF significantly improved the hydrophilicity and biocompatibility of the material and promoted the self-assembly of micelle structures in the biocomposites. Different topologies in the films also provided beneficial surface morphology for cell adhesion, growth, and proliferation. Overall, this study demonstrated an effective fabrication method for a fine-tuned polymer blends combining synthetic polymer and protein for a wide variety of biomedical and green material applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Deng
- Center of Analysis and Testing, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Center of Analysis and Testing, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Christopher R Gough
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Xiao Hu
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
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Cai B, Gu H, Wang F, Printon K, Gu Z, Hu X. Ultrasound regulated flexible protein materials: Fabrication, structure and physical-biological properties. ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY 2021; 79:105800. [PMID: 34673337 PMCID: PMC8560629 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2021.105800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound can be used in the biomaterial field due to its high efficiency, easy operation, no chemical treatment, repeatability and high level of control. In this work, we demonstrated that ultrasound is able to quickly regulate protein structure at the solution assembly stage to obtain the designed properties of protein-based materials. Silk fibroin proteins dissolved in a formic acid-CaCl2 solution system were treated in an ultrasound with varying times and powers. By altering these variables, the silks physical properties and structures can be fine-tuned and the results were investigated with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), gas permeability and water contact angle measurements. Ultrasonic treatment aids the interactions between the calcium ions and silk molecular chains which leads to increased amounts of intermolecular β-sheets and α-helix. This unique structural change caused the silk film to be highly insoluble in water while also inducing a hydrophilic swelling property. The ultrasound-regulated silk materials also showed higher thermal stability, better biocompatibility and breathability, and favorable mechanical strength and flexibility. It was also possible to tune the enzymatic degradation rate and biological response (cell growth and proliferation) of protein materials by changing ultrasound parameters. This study provides a unique physical and non-contact material processing method for the wide applications of protein-based biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Cai
- Center of Analysis and Testing, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Hanling Gu
- Center of Analysis and Testing, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Center of Analysis and Testing, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Kyle Printon
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Zhenggui Gu
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xiao Hu
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
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Gough CR, Hu X. Air-Spun Silk-Based Micro-/Nanofibers and Thin Films for Drug Delivery. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9588. [PMID: 34502496 PMCID: PMC8430899 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Micro-/nanofibers have shown high promise as drug delivery vehicles due to their high porosity and surface-area-to-volume ratio. The current study utilizes air-spraying, a novel fiber fabrication technique, to create silk micro-/nanofibers without the need for a high voltage power source. Air-spraying was used to create silk fibrous mats embedded with several model drugs with high efficiency. In order to compare the effect of biomaterial geometry on the release of the model drugs, silk films were also created and characterized. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and a drug release study were performed on both fiber and film samples to study how the model drugs interact with the protein structure. FTIR analysis showed that while drugs could interact with the protein structure of porous silk fibers, they could not interact with the flat geometry of silk films. As a result, fibers could protect select model drugs from thermal degradation and slow their release from the fiber network with more control than the silk films. A trend was also revealed where hydrophobic drugs were better protected and had a slower release than hydrophilic drugs. The results suggest that the physical and chemical properties of drugs and protein-based biomaterials are important for creating drug delivery vehicles with tailored release profiles and that fibers provide better tunability than films do.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R. Gough
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA;
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Xiao Hu
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA;
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
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Tao X, Jiang F, Cheng K, Qi Z, Yadavalli VK, Lu S. Synthesis of pH and Glucose Responsive Silk Fibroin Hydrogels. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7107. [PMID: 34281160 PMCID: PMC8268721 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Silk fibroin (SF) has attracted much attention due to its high, tunable mechanical strength and excellent biocompatibility. Imparting the ability to respond to external stimuli can further enhance its scope of application. In order to imbue stimuli-responsive behavior in silk fibroin, we propose a new conjugated material, namely cationic SF (CSF) obtained by chemical modification of silk fibroin with ε-Poly-(L-lysine) (ε-PLL). This pH-responsive CSF hydrogel was prepared by enzymatic crosslinking using horseradish peroxidase and H2O2. Zeta potential measurements and SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis show successful synthesis, with an increase in isoelectric point from 4.1 to 8.6. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results show that the modification does not affect the crystalline structure of SF. Most importantly, the synthesized CSF hydrogel has an excellent pH response. At 10 wt.% ε-PLL, a significant change in swelling with pH is observed. We further demonstrate that the hydrogel can be glucose-responsive by the addition of glucose oxidase (GOx). At high glucose concentration (400 mg/dL), the swelling of CSF/GOx hydrogel is as high as 345 ± 16%, while swelling in 200 mg/dL, 100 mg/dL and 0 mg/dL glucose solutions is 237 ± 12%, 163 ± 12% and 98 ± 15%, respectively. This shows the responsive swelling of CSF/GOx hydrogels to glucose, thus providing sufficient conditions for rapid drug release. Together with the versatility and biological properties of fibroin, such stimuli-responsive silk hydrogels have great potential in intelligent drug delivery, as soft matter substrates for enzymatic reactions and in other biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaosheng Tao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (X.T.); (F.J.); (K.C.); (Z.Q.)
| | - Fujian Jiang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (X.T.); (F.J.); (K.C.); (Z.Q.)
| | - Kang Cheng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (X.T.); (F.J.); (K.C.); (Z.Q.)
| | - Zhenzhen Qi
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (X.T.); (F.J.); (K.C.); (Z.Q.)
| | - Vamsi K. Yadavalli
- Department of Chemical & Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA;
| | - Shenzhou Lu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (X.T.); (F.J.); (K.C.); (Z.Q.)
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