Comparison of Chondrocyte Behaviors Between Silk Microfibers and Polycaprolactone Microfibers in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Applications

Silk and polycaprolactone (PCL), derived from natural and synthetic sources, respectively, are suture materials commonly used in surgery. Beyond their application in sutures, they are also compelling subjects in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. This study evaluated the effects of degummed silk microfibers compared to electrospun PCL microfibers of a similar diameter on chondrocyte behavior. The two types of microfibers were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), real-time PCR, Western blotting, and DMMB analysis. The results demonstrated that the silk microfibers exhibited a higher proliferative cell rate over time compared to the PCL microfibers. Additionally, the expression of chondrogenic phenotypes was significantly upregulated, while the marker for hypertrophic chondrocytes-type X collagen-was downregulated in cell-laden silk microfibers compared to cell-laden PCL microfibers. These findings suggest that natural degummed silk microfibers may be a viable option for repairing damaged cartilage in the future of orthopedic surgery and bioengineering.