Biological Responses of Ionic-Doped Calcium Phosphates- Silk Fibroin Composites for Bone Tissue Engineering

Bone disorders, including disabling degenerative diseases, may lead to severe complications of the neuromuscular system affecting millions of people quality of life. Advanced tools and technologies have been developed for bone tissue regeneration. Functional scaffolding materials such as biopolymers and bioresorbable fillers have gained particular attention, owing to their ability to promote cell adhesion, proliferation and extracellular matrix production, promoting new bone ingrowth^1,2. In this study, novel biofunctional scaffolds for bone regeneration composed by silk fibroin (SF) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) incorporating Sr, Zn, and Mn were successfully developed. Doping β-TCP-based biomaterials with trace elements existing in bone may enhance osteogenesis and the neovascularization potential of the biomaterials, and can also improve their mechanical strength³.