Skip to main content
SLU publication database (SLUpub)

Abstract

Silk matrices have previously been shown to possess general properties governing cell viability. However, many cell types also require specific adhesion sites for successful in vitro culture. Herein, we have shown that cell binding motifs can be genetically fused to a partial spider silk protein, 4RepCT, without affecting its ability to self-assemble into stable matrices directly in a physiological-like buffer. The incorporated motifs were exposed in the formed matrices, and available for binding of integrins. Four different human primary cell types; fibroblasts, keratinocytes, endothelial cells and Schwann cells, were applied to the matrices and investigated under serum-free culture conditions. Silk matrices with cell binding motifs, especially RGD, were shown to promote early adherence of cells, which formed stress fibers and distinct focal adhesion points. Schwann cells acquired most spread-out morphology on silk matrices with IKVAV, where significantly more viable cells were found, also when compared to wells coated with laminin. This strategy is thus suitable for development of matrices that allow screening of various cell binding motifs and their effect on different cell types. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Spider silk; Cell culture matrices; Cell adhesion; Integrin

Published in

Biomaterials
2013, volume: 34, number: 33, pages: 8223-8234
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD

SLU Authors

UKÄ Subject classification

Biomaterials Science

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.07.058

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/54880