Fibroin monoliths, produced by compression molding starting from the protein powder, are known to achieve an impressive mechanical strength when tested in dry conditions. However, in the presence of water, the loss of structural integrity and mechanical performances is striking. Considering the bone scaffold applications for which this material is intended, this remarkable weakening after implantation strongly limits its usage to non-structural purposes. Here, we propose an approach that allows the recovery of mechanical properties and the retention of the shape in physiological conditions, due to a progressive chemical crosslinking triggered by genipin and humidity. Crosslinking does not hinder cell adhesion and proliferation, as suggested by a preliminary biological test, nor does it limit the machinability of the material, as demonstrated by producing complex-shaped objects through laser cutting. Overall, genipin-crosslinked solid fibroin is a reliable material that may be suitable for structural applications in physiological conditions.

A genipin crosslinked silk fibroin monolith by compression molding with recovering mechanical properties in physiological conditions / Bucciarelli, Alessio; Janigro, Valentino; Yang, Yuejiao; Fredi, Giulia; Pegoretti, Alessandro; Motta, Antonella; Maniglio, Devid. - In: CELL REPORTS PHYSICAL SCIENCE. - ISSN 2666-3864. - 2:10(2021), pp. 100605.1-100605.19. [10.1016/j.xcrp.2021.100605]

A genipin crosslinked silk fibroin monolith by compression molding with recovering mechanical properties in physiological conditions

Bucciarelli, Alessio;Yang, Yuejiao;Fredi, Giulia;Pegoretti, Alessandro;Motta, Antonella;Maniglio, Devid
2021-01-01

Abstract

Fibroin monoliths, produced by compression molding starting from the protein powder, are known to achieve an impressive mechanical strength when tested in dry conditions. However, in the presence of water, the loss of structural integrity and mechanical performances is striking. Considering the bone scaffold applications for which this material is intended, this remarkable weakening after implantation strongly limits its usage to non-structural purposes. Here, we propose an approach that allows the recovery of mechanical properties and the retention of the shape in physiological conditions, due to a progressive chemical crosslinking triggered by genipin and humidity. Crosslinking does not hinder cell adhesion and proliferation, as suggested by a preliminary biological test, nor does it limit the machinability of the material, as demonstrated by producing complex-shaped objects through laser cutting. Overall, genipin-crosslinked solid fibroin is a reliable material that may be suitable for structural applications in physiological conditions.
2021
10
Bucciarelli, Alessio; Janigro, Valentino; Yang, Yuejiao; Fredi, Giulia; Pegoretti, Alessandro; Motta, Antonella; Maniglio, Devid
A genipin crosslinked silk fibroin monolith by compression molding with recovering mechanical properties in physiological conditions / Bucciarelli, Alessio; Janigro, Valentino; Yang, Yuejiao; Fredi, Giulia; Pegoretti, Alessandro; Motta, Antonella; Maniglio, Devid. - In: CELL REPORTS PHYSICAL SCIENCE. - ISSN 2666-3864. - 2:10(2021), pp. 100605.1-100605.19. [10.1016/j.xcrp.2021.100605]
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
mmc2.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Versione editoriale (Publisher’s layout)
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 6.21 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
6.21 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11572/322136
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 14
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 12
social impact