Seidenfibroin findet hauptsächlich als Zellträgermatrix im Bereich Tissue engineering Anwendung. In Kombination mit verschiedenen Calciumphosphatphasen kann es als Material zur Knochenregeneration verwendet werden. In dieser Arbeit stelle ich mineralisierte Seidenfibroin-Scaffolds mit kontrollierter Makroporosität vor. Im Vergleich zu anderen Studien lag das Ziel auf der simultanen Gelierung und Mineralisation von Seidenfibroin-Scaffolds durch Einlegen von gefrorenen Seidenfibroin Monolithen in angesäuerte Calciumphophosphat Lösung, was zu einer Präzipitation von Monocalciumphosphat in der Seidenfibroinmatrix führt. Im zweiten Teil wurde eine Umsetzung von eingearbeiteten ß-Tricalciumphosphat-Partikeln erreicht. Des weiteren führte ein kontrollierter Cryostrukturierungsprozess von Seidenfibroin-Scaffolds zu parallel ausgerichteten Poren mit Durchmesser zwischen 30 und 50 µm. / Silk fibroin is commonly used as scaffold material for tissue engineering applications. In combination with mineralization with different calcium phosphate phases, it can also be applied as material for bone regeneration. Here, we present a study which was performed to produce mineralized silk fibroin scaffolds with controlled macroporosity. In contrast to former studies, our Approach focused on a simultaneous gelation and mineralization of silk fibroin by Immersion of frozen silk fibroin Monoliths in acidic calcium Phosphate Solutions. This was achieved by thawing frozen silk fibroin Monoliths in acidic calcium Phosphate solution, leading to the precipitation of monocalcium phosphate within the silk fibroin matrix. In the second approach, a conversion of incorporated ß-tricalcium Phosphate particles into brushite was successfully achieved. Furthermore, a controlled cryostructuring process of silk fibroin scaffolds was carried out of leading to the Formation of parallel oriented pores with Diameters of 30-50 µm.

Nowadays, exceptional advantages of silk fibroin over synthetic and natural polymers have impelled the scientists to application of this biomaterial for tissue engineering purposes. Recently, we showed that embedding natural degummed silk fibers in regenerated Bombyx mori silk-based scaffold significantly increases the mechanical stiffness, while the porosity of the scaffolds remains the same. In the present study, we evaluated degradation rate, biocompatibility and regenerative properties of the regenerated 2% and 4% wt silk-based composite scaffolds with or without embedded natural degummed silk fibers within 90 days in both athymic nude and wild-type C57BL/6 mice through subcutaneous implantation. In all scaffolds, a suitable interconnected porous structure for cell penetration was seen under scanning electron microscopy. Compressive tests revealed a functional relationship between fiber reinforcement and compressive modulus. In addition, the fiber/fibroin composite scaffolds support cell attachment and proliferation. On days 30 to 90 after subcutaneous implantation, the retrieved tissues were examined via gross morphology, histopathology, immunofluorescence staining and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction as shown in Figure 1. Results showed that embedding the silk fibers within the matrix enhances the biodegradability of the matrix resulting in replacement of the composite scaffolds with the fresh connective tissue. Fortification of the composites with degummed fibers not only regulates the degradation profile but also increases the mechanical performance of the scaffolds. This report also confirmed that pore size and structure play an important role in the degradation rate. In conclusion, the findings of the present study narrate key role of additional surface area in improving in vitro and in vivo biological properties of the scaffolds and suggest the potential ability of these fabricated composite scaffolds for connective tissue regeneration.