Manufacturing of Anisotropic Protein-Based Scaffolds to Precisely Mimic Native-Tissue Mechanics

Abstract

Biological and mechanical mismatches between engineered scaffolds and native tissues poses widespread challenges for tissue restoration. Native-like anisotropy is a critical characteristic for functional tissue replacements, yet it is an often-overlooked aspect when designing new scaffolds. In this study, fiber-reinforced tubular scaffolds are developed, mimicking the anisotropic characteristics of natural tissues, using native-like silk fibroin. To predict the mechanical behavior of these innovative scaffolds, a mathematical model is employed, utilizing the properties of the scaffolds’ constituent materials, and experimentally validated through tensile testing. This approach addresses significant challenges in the design of new scaffold implants by enabling to efficiently predict the performance of several configurations, narrowing down the experimental research space. The proposed platform constitutes an appealing tool for the development of clinically relevant tissue-equivalents.